“And six days later Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John, and brought them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them, and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them. And Elijah appeared to them along with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. Peter responded and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here; let’s make three tabernacles, one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” For he did not know how to reply; for they became terrified. Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud: “This is My beloved Son listen to Him!” And suddenly they looked around and saw no one with them anymore, except Jesus alone. Mark 9:2-8). And when they came back to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them. Immediately, when the entire crowd saw Him, they were amazed and began running up to greet Him. And He asked them, “What are you disputing with them?” And one person from the crowd answered Him, “Teacher, I brought You my son, because he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak; and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground, and he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes stiff. And I told Your disciples so that they would cast it out, but they could not do it.” And He answered them and said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!” And they brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, the spirit immediately threw him into convulsions, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to kill him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” But Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible for the one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief (Mark 9:14-24 NASB).”
I surveyed my Wednesday Bible Study this week to see what kind of breaks they have taken in their lives. The answers came like rapid fire; Spring break, Fall break, semester Break, Thanksgiving break, Christmas Break, teacher/parent conference breaks, the break you experience when HR finally hires someone to assist you, the vacation break or breaks, weekend breaks where working is not required, lunch breaks, rest breaks, and even the famous line from the show Friends in a dialogue between Ross and Rachel, “We were on a break!”
After all the response give via my verbal survey, I asked a question, “What have you always done after a break?” The response rang out in one voice, “You go back to work.” Remember that now!
In the verses above, Peter, James, and John got a break, so to speak, when they went up on the Mount of Transfiguration. After they came down from their mountain top experience; after their ultimate “break,” they had to go right back to work.
Somebody you know, definitely not you, has taken a break from worshipping with the saints on Sunday, taken a break from the church, taken a break from studying the word, and taken a break from doing the things that the Lord wants us all to do. Some have taken a break from living like a Christian ought, inasmuch as they are enticed and allured by the prospering of the righteous. Notice I said, “somebody,” because I know you have bit taken such breaks. Perhaps you took a break to rest for a while, and that is okay. Jesus even took a break, got away from the crowd, and He emphasized in Mark 6:31, a “little rest” is good: “And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a little while.”
Pass this meditation on to the “somebody” you know that fits one of the description’s above. Pose the question, “What have you done after a break?”, speaking in general terms. When he or she responds, “I go back to work,” present them with another question: “Haven’t you been on break long enough?” Then say, “Don’t you think break time is over?” Whether they are tired of your inquiries or not, ask one final question for that “somebody” to ponder on, “What if God, our God, the One who never slumbers or sleeps, took a break and did not continue to work out things for “your” good?” Give them a final blessing of some sort and be on your way. Pause however, and look back, saying, “By the way, tomorrow is Sunday!” Love you all! Enjoy your day and prep your minds for worship tomorrow. Be blessed!
“But may those who love Him rise like the sun when it rises in full strength.” Judges 5:31 (Modern English Version)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King