The closing ceremonies to the Vancouver Olympic Games bring back many memories.  When we watch great events and watch the participants live their otherwise quiet lives in front of us, we feel like we have made new friends from all over the world.  After all the pin trading and the fun of competition, these games end just like all worldly mountain top experiences, and the world must return to more mundane concerns.

We have all pondered why we can’t all get along better when we experience something like this.  The same thing happens when we return from mission trips, battlefields, and ventures that required us to stretch ourselves beyond the normal.  Eventually, we return to more normal days and work-a-day worlds with regular television shows (ugh!) back on the air at night.  How are we to handle the return to normalcy? 

After the disciples came down from the mountain when Jesus was shown to be God’s son, they were immediately confronted with the sick and the needy.  I am sure they wished to bask in the glory of the mountain top for awhile, but the needs of the world hit them faster than they could have imagined. Knowing that they had work to do, they asked Jesus for help just as you and I might do.  The Lord’s answer was and is that the disciples will do even greater things than Jesus had done.  Jesus promises you the same things if you do all in His Name and not in yours!

Once, in my early years at Merrill Lynch, we were called away from our desks to a conference room in the middle of the day.  There was a surprising announcement from management that they were adding a new form of recognition for outstanding performance.  Many of us received some non-monetary gifts and the manager read a prepared news release that recognized many of us who had achieved high standards. Without breaking stride, our manager then said as if on script, “Now get back on the phones!”  I guess that’s as good a way as any to get over a mountain top experience!

 Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV) “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Monday Morning Message Sent 3/1/10

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