As I was reading The Word in Season’s devotional on Transfiguration Sunday, I was transported to a vivid childhood memory. It was the summer of 7th grade and I was attending my first year at 4-H camp.

The cost at that time was $13.00 per week. I saved and paid it myself. I was so excited to be there for a whole week. No household obligations, no parents, no little brothers and sisters, no work in my grandfather’s grocery store. Perfect!

There were tasks to do, but they were done with fellowship and laughter. I play sports that I had never played before and even swam farther than I ever had. I acquired my nickname that summer. I learned so much that week about being a part of a larger group with shared interests and expectations.

In the Transfiguration event, Jesus took Peter, James and John with him to an unnamed mountaintop. There the glory of Jesus was revealed, Moses and Elijah joined with Christ and the Father’s voice was heard admonishing the apostles to “Listen to My Son”. It was an awesome event!

Peter is so thrilled and excited that he offers to build three tabernacles to house Jesus, Moses and Elijah where they would live forever. Peter included. His comment: “it is good for us to be here,” indicates that he doesn’t want to leave and go back to the mundane world at the foot of the mountain.

Like Peter, I did not want to leave. Like Peter, I knew that I had some special knowledge that I needed to bring home to my family and friends. Peter was instructed by Jesus to wait to share this knowledge after Christ’s death and resurrection. Poor Peter, imagine what a shock that bit of information was to him.

Unrestricted, I was able to joyously return home enlightened about my role as a daughter, sister, friend. Now, like Peter, I am now expected to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world. Assist, if you will, with keeping the light shining in a world which can get very dark. How can I do this? I want to stay on the mountain top and bask in the Light of Christ.

I can do this; you can do this because God sends His Spirit to guide us. Do not underestimate the power of a smile to someone on the street. Do not underestimate the power of an encouraging word to a clerk struggling with a difficult customer. Do not underestimate the power of your love for someone who feels unloved.

Because He loves you unconditionally, He wants everyone to know that He loves them unconditionally.

Terri