• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • LCA Portal
  • Login to LAMP
  • LCA Online Donations
  • Contact

Qld District

Engaging people with God's love in everyday life

24 McDougall Street
Milton QLD 4064
Phone 07 3511 4000

  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • Who We Are
    • Our District
  • News & Events
    • News & Events
    • Calendar
    • LCAQD Conference 2023
  • Support for Congregations
    • Mission
    • Administration
    • Drought Support
    • Contact
  • Governance
    • Governance Change Program
    • Nominations & Appointments
    • Synod
      • Synod Livestream

In the valleys the Lord travels with us!

9 February 2021

by Bishop Paul Smith

When I was in the Scouting movement as a young teenager, I stood at the top of Mt Bartle Frere near Tully in North Queensland. This is the highest mountain in our state and the view from the south peak is extraordinary, with the splendor of the coastal plains and shore line extending far off into the horizon.

We use the phrase “mountain top experience” because we yearn for those high moments when we are lifted up beyond the everyday humdrum of life.

There is a “mountain top” story in the New Testament, where Jesus is “transfigured” and appears with the prophets, Moses and Elijah before the disciples: Peter, James and John. Peter wants to capture this moment and make three dwellings for Jesus and the two prophets.

But no sooner has Peter said this, when it all disappears with a voice from the heavens declaring, “This is my Son, the beloved, Listen to him.” Our Lord does not intend us to be caught up in the quest for “mountain top experiences”. Rather, we are reminded in the Transfiguration, that the Lord Jesus will be with us in the valleys. Mountaintop experiences may be in short supply but the Lord will walk with us and will provide for us in all seasons. The key matter highlighted in the story of the transfiguration is “Listen to him”.

We are about to begin the “church journey” to another “mountain top experience” which we call Lent. On this journey we will acknowledge that we are dust and to dust we shall return. We shall prepare ourselves to kneel on Good Friday at that mountain called Calvary and to confess with all humanity that he dies for our sin, that we would have peace with God.

God guide you along this coming Lenten season of 2021. The Lord is with us.

In Christ,

Paul

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Please follow and like us: https://www.facebook.com/LCAQD/
fb-share-icon

READ MORE STORIES ABOUT bishop, Devotion, Paul Smith

« For all God’s bounty to me!
It is not easy to explain Lent! »

Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • Bishop
  • Blogs
  • Community News
  • Feature Stories
  • Job
  • Living Faithfully
  • Ministry & Mission
  • News
  • Notice Board
  • Synod
  • Uncategorised

Archives for all Posts

  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • Tags

    ALC alws Anniversary Australian Lutheran College bishop Christmas church community Conference congregation Convention of Synod coronavirus Covid-19 Devotion devotions Easter event faith Feature fellowship gospel In Memoriam Installation intergenerational Job Vacancy LCAQD LCAQD Synod 2023 LEQ Living Faithfully Lutheran Services LYQ ministry mission mission & ministry Paul Smith prayer retreat Synod Synod 2022 Training Walk my way Women workshop worship youth

    Footer

    Contact Us

    24 McDougall Street Milton QLD 4064
    Phone 07 3511 4000
    Email district@qld.lca.org.au

    Copyright LCAQD © 2023
    Privacy Policy