COME UP HERE...AND SEE!

Our journey in life is a daily climb,

From earthly-bound realms to that called sublime.

So also in Christ, we live t'ward new heights,

With experiences rich in blessed delights.

But lest we should falter in our upward climb,

And lose depth of knowing this One who's Divine,

We'll respond to His call to "come up...and see"

And there find revealed all He wants us to be.

~jb, 3-17-07

During the time of our missionary service in Asia, we had the opportunity to spend some time in northern India, in the Himalayan foothills. On a clear day, at 7000 feet where we stayed, the scene was beautiful. We loved to hike the many trails that covered the ridge where we were lodging, and at times I would be in the lead, urging my wife and two daughters to keep up as we moved up to the crest of the ridge. As I arrived the first time I found myself uttering the words, "come up and see", for before us we were able to see the snow-capped range toward Mt. Everest, a sight that caused the lower scenes to pale in comparison. Since that time almost twenty-five years ago, my mind has often retraced that journey with a longing to somehow recapture the experience we had.

When John was given the Revelation he recorded, and that door in heaven was opened for his eyes to behold the throne and He who sat upon it in all His glory, how he must have recalled another high place and the vision of Christ transfigured before him. It was a foretaste of the glory to be revealed.

The Christian journey, too, has levels which we are called to "come up..." and see. As we live daily the very highest and best that we know, God will ever call us up higher, to experience the relationship with Him that is even more beautiful.

As He calls you to this, respond immediately and begin applying yourself to live in the new heights. If He has revealed it, it is within your ability to reach and you will not be disappointed in the new vision it gives.

As the vision of Christ transfigured gave the disciples new intimacy for living and ministry in the valley, so our climb and focus on Christ will strengthen us to be all that Christ wants us to be. But hesitation may bring a cloud that blocks the light that would have revealed it and granted you the vision and relationship He desired that you would share. So don't hesitate, but "come up...and see".

Revelation 4:1 "Come up here, and I will show you..."

Matthew 17:1-2, 8 "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 when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only."

Be encouraged in your journey climb today, and see only Jesus!