On Easter weekend the thirteen young adults receiving baptism stood before hundreds and testified, nervously unfolding their individual stories to the masses. One after another—some shyly, others boldly, each stepped up to the microphone. Their accounts brought tears. All were deeply touching. God was glorified—the electric energy of the encouraged saints was palpable.
Hoots, hollers, and applause rang out! God is in the business of changing hearts and lives!
One by one, they went into the water, their friends shouting praises and embracing them, jumping up and down in the baptismal tank with them, all of them drenched. The singing raised the roof! It was glorious!
As I watched and listened, I thanked God repeatedly for making me a member of his family and for giving me such open and unguarded brothers and sisters. By the end, my face hurt from smiling for the entire three hours. But the low often (usually) follows hard after the high. So, I also prayed that as they leapt and danced away from this pinnacle, they would rely on the Lord when they hit the coming valley.
The low after the high teaches us to cling ever more tightly to the Savior.
“Let us also go, that we may die with him,” Thomas proclaimed (John 11:16 ESV).
“I will lay my life down for you,” Peter said just hours before he betrayed Christ (John 13:37b ESV).
“We believe that you came from God,” Jesus’ disciples stated right before fleeing into the darkness at Gethsemane (John 16:30 ESV).
Lovers make proclamations of undying affection and devotion. We come charging out of our spiritual mountaintops full of vows of what we will do and how we will now live. I love you! I will follow! I will obey! I will never waver! Faces beaming and hearts full, we sing our praise songs.
Jesus smiles gently at our pronouncements. He cherishes our passion for him. But he knows us better than we know ourselves. We’re easy targets after our highs. We coast on emotion. We always want to feel just like this.
Then Satan aims his arrows at us; and, if we are unaware and don’t throw up that protective shield of faith, we fall flat on our faces. It’s predictable. Like Elijah, we run out into the desert, weary, overwhelmed, frightened, and believing we are alone. God comforts us and puts us back together.
And so, Jesus quietly carried out his plan to aim for Jerusalem and to get up on that cross, recognizing the test that also awaited his bold disciples. With Thomas, Jesus simply followed the plan. Cognizant of what was coming, he headed back toward Judea to raise Lazarus, setting the final conflict with the religious leaders into motion. Thomas would be shattered, his faith shaken. But then, later, he would see and touch the truth.
Jesus told Peter plainly that, unfortunately, he would not lay down his life for him on that night. Peter would instead deny Jesus three times. Imagine Peter’s consternation. After dropping that bomb, Jesus calmly and lovingly continued his Last Supper discourse, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me” (John 14:1 ESV).
The Savior is ever mindful that we sinners are in need of saving. Don’t be troubled, he said. Believe in me. It’s always the answer after the fall.
To the bold disciples who made their belief statement on that night before his death, he quietly stated that they would be scattered, leaving him alone. Having thought he would be pleased with their pronouncement, I imagine they all sat back, stunned and appalled.
But Jesus said to them, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 ESV).
Unflappable in each instance, never missing a beat, Jesus’ words and actions demonstrated that their salvation depended on him, not on their own works or emotions or proclamations.
What a relief! Take heart. Have peace.
Not only does our Savior give us eternal life, but we gain intimate fellowship with One who knows us more completely than we know ourselves. He realizes beforehand that we’re going to blow it as we come skating out of our spiritual highs. Knowing this, he loves us thoroughly, providing the way of escape, guiding us to take it, and picking us up when we don’t. What a gentle and merciful Savior!
Have you had any recent lows that followed your highs?
Just last week I read in a devotional that “Eve focused on the one fruit that she couldn’t have rather than being thankful for the many good things freely available. This negative focus darkened her mind, and she succumbed to temptation….When you focus on what you don’t have or on situations that displease you, your mind also becomes darkened…You look for what is wrong and refuse to enjoy life until that is ‘fixed’.”
So guess what happened to me the very next day – I was feeling really bad about ‘all these things’ that weren’t done around the house & things I didn’t have’!!!!!!!!!! My poor husband had to hear it all, not feel blamed & gently correct my mind & heart. He did a great job!!!!!!!
It’s so predictable, isn’t it? We all have so much to learn. It’s a good thing the Savior has unlimited patience. Your husband is a good man, modeling Christ-likeness in his response to you.
We have come a long way in our relating to each other thanks to Emerson Eggerichs’ Love & Respect message!
Very timely blog, Melinda, a very good reminder!!! Thanks for letting God use you!
Love and prayers,
Aunt Jackie
Thank you for all of your encouragement, Aunt Jackie. You often keep me going. 🙂
I want to be like Enoch; walking so closely with God, the world’s existence unable come between us, that I simply stop existing on this plane and suddeningly exist only there! Still, in the face of every day ups and downs, these words of yours are profound yet simple. Reminders to be prepared, know that the potential for the low valley is right around the corner from the high mountain; we need to be ready to repent quickly and turn our faces to The One who is Love; our salvation who always desires to gently restore us! Thanks for your encouraging words!
Thank you for your comment, Cathy. Isn’t our Savior kind! He restores gently.
What we want to be and what we actually are sometimes as different as night and day. We are very flawed people! What would we do without a Savior who understands our frailties! I can remember my Grandmother Avery Pinkerton reciting “Let not your hearts be troubled. You believe in God. Believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions….” I cannot tell you how many times that has come to my remembrance at some very low times. Times when I have once more failed to be the person my heart desires to be–the wife, the mother, the friend. He restores me, calms me, reminds me I am His. Without Him we are indeed lost, lost people! Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Thanks for quoting one of my favorite and inspirational people, Mom. She’s worth writing about. Hmm….
Awesome article. Praise God that his patience, grace and mercy are unlimited.
Thanks, Tim. I always appreciate your feedback.
We have to learn to “cling tightly” to Christ or we will not be able to hang on during the ineveitable low that comes after spiritual highs. Takes maturity and hopefully for those baptized a few good friends to support them.
Very true! Clinging tightly is essential! I’m still praying for the ones who got baptized.
Good thoughts from an inspirational writer!
Thank you so much!
I can definitely relate to going into lows after highs. Recently I went to a seminar in the seminary in St. Louis, MO. It was a high experience for me, discussing ways of serving the Lord, sharing testimonies with my room-mate using sign language (mine was quite minimal)—the fellowship of believers and servants of God brought me closer to the presence of Jesus. When I got home, after such a high, I experience depression. Reality hit, Satan attacked. With the help of my friends and God’s Word, life leveled out. Yes, indeed, we do have a gentle Savior! Thanks for reminding me!
Thank you for sharing that, Norma. It’s so predictable, yet it often creeps upon us unawares. Glad you’re more encouraged now. Your life is an inspiration.
Thanks! Over the years you’ve been an inspiration to me, too! Isn’t it wonderful to be in the winning team?
Indeed, it is!
As a site coordinator for Rachel’s Vineyard Post Abortive healing retreats, I always experience the “mountain top” high, from seeing the transforming love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness of our Lord in the lives of all present. Each Living Scripture session is a new height of receiving our Lord more personally, and falling more deeply in love with Him. It is throughout the weekend retreat that I am attacked, as Satan does not want the women and men in attendance to realize how cherished and loved they are by the Lord. He wants to keep them in darkness and isolation, in shame and guilt. We are constantly fighting the enemy to keep the space we gather in sacred and safe where all those present feel secure. Your images and descriptions are powerful, Melinda. I so appreciate you taking the time to share.
Beth
This is a very important work, restoring those who have undergone abortion and are in need of healing. Of course, Satan would attack, attempting to keep men and women from recognizing that God loves them and that he is willing and able to forgive any sin. God bless you for your work, Beth. Thank you for sharing.
Melinda….you continue to impress me….thanks for the work you do….thanks for going and going….thanks for sharing, thanks, friend!
You’re pretty impressive yourself, Julie. Thank you for all you’ve taught my daughter and for being such a good friend.
Words of wisdom well-spoken. Spiritual highs are such a blessing – what a delight to see the Lord working first-hand! But we can’t expect it always to be like that. We need to cling to what we know about God even when the circumstances are dark.
So very true, Suzanne! Reminding ourselves of the reality of who He is and what He’s done for us is the light in the darkness.
Talented! So talented!!! Keep it up 🙂
Thank you, dear sweet first-reader of mine. 🙂
Very good blog on baptism.
Thanks, Jeremy. It was quite an encouraging baptism service.
What a wonderful way to spend Easter celebrating the baptisms! Yes we must all remember that “In Jesus we will have Peace”. Thank you for that! i needed it today!
Thanks, Terrie. I’m glad it encouraged you.