Beyond the Mountain Top: Why Following Jesus Is More Than Just Moments
We all crave those incredible, life-changing moments with God. You know the ones – where His presence feels tangible, where miracles happen, where everything seems crystal clear. But what happens the day after the mountain top experience? What occurs when the emotional high fades and ordinary life resumes?
In a powerful message at Courageous Church, Pastor Dave explored this very question through the lens of Jesus feeding the 5,000. This miraculous moment – where thousands witnessed Christ multiply five loaves and two fish into a feast – should have been life-changing. Yet the very next day, the crowd returned seeking more free meals, completely missing the deeper invitation Jesus was extending.
Moments Don't Change Us – Momentum Does
Pastor Dave shared a deeply personal story about holding his firstborn daughter Eden for the first time. That hospital room moment was profound, overwhelming, and transformative. But as he reflected, he realized that single moment didn't make him a good father. It was the daily choice to show up, to learn, to grow, and to embrace the journey of parenthood that truly changed him.
The same principle applies to our spiritual lives. We can experience incredible moments with God – in worship, during prayer, through answered prayers or miraculous provision. But if we don't allow those moments to create momentum in our daily walk with Christ, we risk becoming spiritual consumers rather than committed followers.
The Challenge of True Discipleship
Jesus didn't call people to collect spiritual experiences like trophies. He called them to follow Him – to pursue, imitate, and walk with Him daily. This requires something many of us struggle with: getting out of the driver's seat.
Pastor Dave shared three powerful principles for genuine discipleship:
You Can't Follow if You're in the Front – Too often, we present God with our plans and ask Him to bless them, rather than seeking His direction first. True following means asking, "Where are You going? What are You doing? How can I get involved?"
Get on the Right GPS – Following Jesus requires learning to deny ourselves. This isn't about self-hatred, but about preferring His ways over our natural inclinations. It's about staying on His path rather than taking detours that lead us away from His best.
Get Involved in the Mission – Taking up our cross means participating in what Jesus is already doing – bringing salvation, reconciliation, and healing to our world. It's moving from spectator to participant in God's work.
More Than Sunday
The beauty of following Jesus isn't found only in Sunday morning experiences, though those moments matter. It's discovered in Tuesday morning coffee meetings where you bring His presence, in boardroom decisions guided by His wisdom, in parenting choices rooted in His love.
Jesus wants to give you more than just moments – He wants to give you a life transformed by the daily momentum of walking with Him. The question isn't whether you've had an encounter with God, but whether that encounter has launched you into a lifestyle of following Him wherever He leads.