Praise the Mount

Praise the Mount!

We all have moments of clarity in life when we experience absolute certainty. Maybe we are certain about the love we feel for someone, or the love they have for us. Maybe we are certain that we are doing what we were designed to do in life. Maybe we are certain and grateful for the beauty of the earth. In our Bible lesson Sunday, Peter was absolutely certain that Jesus was the Messiah the Jews had been waiting for all those generations. When he said, “You are the Messiah. You are the Son of the living God” it was an “ah ha” moment of clarity. It was like a mountaintop experience; rich, full, awe -inspiring, ethereal.

Have you ever had such an experience? Have you ever known Jesus with such clarity and insight? Have you ever had an “ah ha” moment? How did you respond?  Did you cry? Did you dance? Did you sit still to savor the time? Did you keep it to yourself? Did you share it with everyone you met?

Reflecting on her response to a full faith moment of clarity Rev. Sarah Speed wrote a poem that I want to share with you.

 

Praise the Mount

I have stayed quiet before.

I have held my tongue

while passing mountains.

I have slipped my hands deep into pockets,

despite the music that invites me to dance.

I have glimpsed a new moon and a new love

and have acted as if it was something other than a complete, God-given miracle. But not today.

Not today.

Today I will dance.

Today I will tap my toes all the way to heaven’s gates.

Today I will point out every shade of gold and periwinkle that we pass. Today I will talk about my faith like we talk about the weather—

early and unprompted, comfortable and unashamed.

Today I will tell you that God did such a good job with freckles, willow trees, and your entire being.

And I will not be embarrassed by my own conviction.

I will not swallow my praise.

I have stayed quiet before,

but not today.

Today I will sing.

written by: Rev. Sarah Speed