Finding Hope: Glimpses Of Glory #RTTBROS #Nightlight

RTTBROS

Finding Hope: Glimpses Of Glory #RTTBROS #Nightlight Glimpses of Glory - Embracing Transcendent Moments "And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light." - Matthew 17:1-2 (KJV) In the midst of life's daily grind, God graciously grants us moments that transcend our earthly experience - instants when we feel fully alive and connected to the divine. These are the mountaintop experiences that offer us a glimpse of glory and remind us of the greater reality beyond our sin-cursed world. Reflection The Bible is replete with accounts of transcendent moments. Moses' face shone after encountering God on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:29-35). Isaiah was transformed by his vision of God's throne room (Isaiah 6:1-8). Peter, James, and John witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus, a moment so glorious that Peter wanted to build tabernacles and stay there (Matthew 17:1-8). These mountaintop experiences, as the old-timers called them, are precious gifts from God. They might be grand, like witnessing a miracle, or intimate, like the moment you said "I do" to your spouse or first gazed into your newborn's eyes. In these instants, time seems to stand still. It's as if God has lifted you into the heavens, allowing you to see beyond the veil of our fallen world and catch a glimpse of His glory. While we can't live continuously in these heightened states - after all, even Elijah had to come down from Mount Carmel - we can cherish and draw strength from these moments. As Peter reflected years later on his experience of the transfiguration, these memories can become "a light that shineth in a dark place" (2 Peter 1:19, KJV), sustaining us through life's valleys. Moreover, these transcendent moments serve as signposts, pointing us toward our ultimate destiny. As Paul reminds us, "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known" (1 Corinthians 13:12, KJV). Each glimpse of glory whets our appetite for the day when we shall see God face to face. Application 1. Recognize Transcendent Moments: Be attentive to those special instances when you feel particularly close to God or fully alive. They may come in nature, in worship, in relationships, or in unexpected places. 2. Record These Experiences: Keep a journal of your mountaintop moments. Write down the details while they're fresh in your memory. 3. Reflect and Relive: In times of discouragement, purposefully recall these transcendent experiences. Let the memory of God's nearness in those moments encourage you. 4. Share Your Experiences: Tell others about your glimpses of glory. Your testimony can encourage fellow believers and witness to non-believers. 5. Cultivate Anticipation: Look forward to future transcendent moments, knowing that God delights in revealing Himself to His children. Dig Deeper 1. Read Exodus 33:18-23. What does Moses' request to see God's glory teach us about the human longing for transcendent experiences? 2. Reflect on Acts 7:54-56. How did Stephen's vision of Christ sustain him in his moment of greatest trial? 3. Consider Revelation 1:9-18. How does John's encounter with the glorified Christ on Patmos compare with your own experiences of God's presence? 4. Think of a transcendent moment in your own life. How did it impact your faith and your view of God?