What started out as an ordinary hike up the mountain by Jesus and the three disciples turned into a day the disciples would never forget; a day when they experienced an event that felt good, scary, and surreal. And God commanded them to listen to Jesus who instructed them not to talk about what they had seen and heard.

Social scientists suggest that about two thirds of us are visual learners; our eyes are the main portal in the learning process. It is highly likely that two of the three disciples were visual learners; what they saw would be inscribed in their memory forever. They saw Jesus transfigured and talking with two of Israel’s greatest prophets, Elijah and Moses.
There are once in a lifetime moments when we long to say something/do something to inscribe the moment in our memory. That’s what the disciples experienced. I want to suggest that the best way to remember and derive the benefit from the life altering moment is by being fully present to all that the moment offers. This is especially relevant where God is concerned. Be present in the presence of God by looking, listening, and feeling.

Peter, John, and James were chosen by Jesus to go up to the mountain. They showed up and as they were watching Jesus was transfigured before them, we’re told that his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one[a] on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. They got to see Jesus in a different light.

If the disciples were asleep or gazing at the clouds or having conversation among them about God knows what or if they were busy complaining about how difficult the climb was, they would have missed seeing the vision of a lifetime. The disciples that went up the mountain were not the same when they left the mountain top; they were transformed. How do I know? Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here.

Too often we show up to worship, bible study, women’s meeting, Sunday school etc. because it’s what we have done for twenty years. We show up but we are not present; we are distracted and all over the place and we miss out on what God wants to reveal to us. We miss out on the refreshing work that the Holy Spirit wants to do in our lives and we leave the same way we came in.

Later Peter would write to the early Christians urging them to make their call and election sure. He said, we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. Sounds to me like Peter could not forget what he had seen.

Those who are present in the presence of God are described as being wise. “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those that were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour [b]in which the Son of Man is coming. If you are going to show up be present.

Just as Peter was suggesting that they build memorials they heard a voice that seemed to be coming from the cloud saying, This is my Son, the Beloved;[c] listen to him!” The people of Israel knew that God’s presence would often manifest in heavy clouds. The bible tells us that when they left Egypt and made their way through the wilderness; the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. 

God was affirming that Jesus was and is his much-loved son who spoke on his behalf. He commanded the disciples to listen to his son. Why? He knows my plans and he would lead you in the way you should go. Listen to him because he is the way, the truth, and the life.

Are you listening to God? Spiritual deafness is a real thing. Too often we are surrounded by noises that drown out the voice of God. God is speaking but we cannot hear. I encourage us to practice listening to God and the psalmist offers this advice: be still and know that I am God. As a church should be listening to God for what’s best for us, our families, and for Union.

Peter said, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” It felt good to be in the presence of God and the mighty men of God. It felt so good that Peter was inspired to build a memorial.

It felt so good Peter wanted to linger in the afterglow. Jesus knew that according to God’s agenda they were needed in the valley. If he said yes to Peter’s idea they would spend too much time on the mountain when there were folks at the bottom waiting to be healed and fed and taught.

When we are present in the presence of God, we are inspired by the Holy Spirit to bear witness to present and future generations. Ministries are born and visions come to life. There are no limits on how God will inspire us if we show up fully present. Our work could be memorials for generations to come.

If you are going to take the time and make the effort to show up be fully present in order to maximize the experience. By looking, listening, and feeling the disciples had a once in a lifetime experience that transformed them. We can be too if we show up fully present and look, listen, and feel.