My late husband and I spent many of our summer vacations in northern Colorado and took many sight-seeing drives in the Rocky Mountains. In Rocky Mountain National Park, when you get to the Trail Ridge Visitor Center, you’re still not at the top. You can walk, rather climb on foot, another 500 feet which doesn’t look far but really is. From the top you can see almost to the ends of the earth. From the top of the tundra, we could see down to the trees, past rocky terrain dotted with glacier lakes, through valleys of snow melting into brilliant clear streams, follow narrow trails down the mountainsides for miles onto the plains. We could see a herd of elk that we were told were about 3 miles down, feeding on the grass. We could see where the narrow Fall River Road had been washed away by flood waters several years before.
But on the way up to the top and back down to Estes Park, we could see many things we couldn’t see from the top–the dainty wild flowers, chipmunks, beavers, marmots, deer, and elk in the meadows, snow banks along the road, the unique shapes and colors of boulders and rocks, the contrasts of the aspen and pine trees, trout jumping in the streams. We had seen the glory from the mountain top but it was also in the valley.
In the Transfiguration story (Luke 9:28-36), the disciples saw the glory of God on the mountain top and wanted to stay there. But Jesus reminded them that they needed to return to the valley where there was also the glory of God in service to others. The disciples needed to adjust their vision.
At this time in the valley of the coronavirus pandemic, many people are recognizing God’s call to be of help to others. It’s a hard time as we hear each day of how many deaths there are, but we also see pictures of all the many people who are doing things to help their family, friends, and community. Not all of us are trained to be a health professional, truck driver, first responder, etc., but there are many small things we can do. Making masks, checking on neighbors and friends, sending someone a card or calling, or taking food to someone are a few of the simple things that mean a lot to others. Especially important is to pray for others. Look around to see what the needs of your community are. Adjust your vision.
Social media and television have been a nuisance at times, but now with social distancing they are important ways to keep in touch with others. They are also good sources for learning or sharing your talents with others. Now that we can’t have face-to-face Lay Servant Ministry training sessions, courses are still available online at beadisciple.com. Not all of their courses are approved by the Lay Servant Ministry, but they are informative. I’m looking forward to getting together for training sessions in the future. Until then, adjust your vision. God’s glory is all around us!
Phyllis Stoppel
Hutchinson District LSM Director
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