"I WILL NOT…SPEAK OF ANYTHING EXCEPT WHAT CHRIST HAS
ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH ME."
ROMANS 15:18 NIV
What was the absolute first thought that came to mind when you read the subtitle
Mountain-top experiences?
Perhaps for some, it was thoughts
of Moses and Elijah; while for others, it might have been of Isaiah, or
Ezekiel. My thoughts were centered more on
today’s man of God. I thought of Martin Luther King Jr. Before we touch on the topic of Romans 15:18, do you mind if I share excerpts
from Martin Luther King Jr.’s, April 3, 1968 speech, in Memphis,
Tennessee? Thank you; you will be
inspired. It goes thusly:
“… something is happening in our world. And you know, if I were standing
at the beginning of time, with the possibility of taking a kind of general and
panoramic view of the whole of human history up to now, and the Almighty said
to me, ‘Martin Luther King, which age would you like to live in?’ I would take
my mental flight by Egypt and I would watch God’s children in their magnificent trek from the dark dungeons of
Egypt through, or rather across the Red Sea, through the wilderness on toward
the promised land. And in spite of its magnificence, I wouldn’t stop there.
•••
I would come on up even to 1863, and watch a vacillating President by
the name of Abraham Lincoln finally come to the conclusion that he had to sign
the Emancipation Proclamation. But I wouldn’t stop there.
I would even come up to the early thirties, and see a man grappling
with the problems of the bankruptcy of his nation. And come with an eloquent
cry that we have nothing to fear but “fear itself.” But I wouldn’t stop there.
Strangely enough, I would turn to the Almighty, and say, “If you allow
me to live just a few years in the second half of the 20th century, I will be
happy.”
Now that’s a strange statement to make, because the world is all messed
up. The nation is sick. Trouble is in the land; confusion all around. That’s a
strange statement. But I know, somehow,
that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars. And I see God
working in this period of the twentieth century in a way that men, in some
strange way, are responding.
Something is happening in our world.
•••
Now we’re going to march again, and we’ve got to march again, in order
to put the issue where it is supposed to be — and force everybody to see …
God’s children here suffering, sometimes going hungry, going through dark and
dreary nights wondering how this thing is going to come out. That’s the issue.
And we’ve got to say to the nation: We know how it’s coming out. For when
people get caught up with that which is right and they are willing to sacrifice
for it, there is no stopping point short of victory.
•••
Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a
greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of
challenge to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make
America a better nation. And I want to thank God, once more, for allowing me to
be here with you.
•••
Well, I don’t know what will happen now. We’ve got some difficult days
ahead. But it really doesn’t matter with me now, because I’ve been to the
mountaintop.
And I don’t mind.
Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place.
But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up
to the mountain. And I’ve
looked over.
And I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you
to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!
Do you now, or have you ever
wondered if Martin Luther King Jr., ever grew weary in his walk with God? I
remember as a pre-teen, though I was clueless as to the depth of his mission
and speeches, I was fascinated with the Man.
I was impressed at the eloquence of his speech, and couldn’t help but wonder
if, when it looked as though nothing was going right, did he. . . from
time-to-time just want to throw- in- the- towel; and give up his Godly
ministry?
That was my curiosity as a babe
in Christ, and before God endowed me
with His Wisdom to know that He touched the lips of His messenger,
and gave Him the words to speak. Today we are His disciples today and we each have an earthly mission and are
called the do not give-up.
Now, how about we visit Old
Testament.
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O
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ne day Jesus took His disciples
to the top of a mountain where He was transfigured before them: "His face
shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses
and Elijah, talking with Jesus" (Matt 17: 2-3). Peter was so caught up in the experience that
he wanted to stay there. "Lord, it
is good for us to be here. If you wish,
I will put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"
(Matt 17: 4). But Jesus said
"No," and led them down the mountain to minister to a demon-possessed
boy. It’s good to have mountaintop
experiences with God; but you can’t stay there.
There’s work to be done and we have been called to do it!
In the Old Testament tabernacle
the High Priest went into the "Holy of Holies" once a year where he
had the privilege of seeing the glory of
the Lord. But the work of the Lord was done outside amongst the people! Imagine being in God’s presence to such an
extent that the building shakes around you.
It happened to Isaiah (Is 6: 1-4). But afterwards he had to go out and perform
the purposes of God. There’s a
balance. We must spend quality time with
God, then carry away from His presence the answers needed by those around us.
Paul said, "I
will not…speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me." Paul didn’t glory in what Christ had done for him, but in what Christ was doing through him. Getting the idea, believers? It’s time to come down from the mountain and
go to work!
Playwright Janet Irene
Thomas
Founder/CEO
Bible Stories Theatre
of
Fine & Performing
Arts
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