Seeing the Bigger Picture

One this Transfiguration Sunday, we have an opportunity to understand that transformation often begins with a glimpse of God’s greater purpose. How do we carry the vision of ongoing spiritual transformation as we prepare to walk with Jesus into challenging seasons? We’ve all been through so much, in our lifetimes, that has changed us to see things differently, see the bigger picture of life.

Glimpses of Glory

*Many of you know that I was a hospice chaplain for 6 years before I started full-time parish ministry. Throughout my time supporting the hospice patients and family members, I witnessed a number of transformative events that was either a result of the natural dying process, experiencing a heightened spiritual awareness, or a little bit of both. I could tell you multiple stories, if I thought long enough, but one event stands out the most. 

I visited hospice patients on a daily basis where ever they happened to live. This one day I was visiting a local nursing facility where we always seemed to have multiple hospice patients; I probably had five or six patients to visit that day. This one patient was usually my first visit as she was closest to the front door. As I walked into her room, for some reason she wasn't available for a visit. This could have been for a number of reasons, staff was with her, she was sleeping, I really don't remember but I knew I could swing back through on my way out. 

So, I went on to my other patients and completed my visits with them, I always tried to make my visits worthwhile and spend as much time as the patient desired but nothing was ever written in stone, some visits would be a minute others would be ten minutes or up to an hour. I don't remember how long I was there that day but I do remember a distinct awareness that I must not forget to stop by this one patient on my way out. 

I finished up all my other visits and circled back around to poke my head in her room. She was available, all alone, and lying on her side, looking at the side of the room and upwards, it looked like an uncomfortable position but very peaceful at the same time. Something inside of me said, "this is different, something is happening". When most people would have not recognized anything, because nothing outwardly was going on, there was, in my opinion, a bevy of invisible action occurring. 

As I walked over to her and knelt down face to face, I saw her eyes wide open and it looked like she was staring right through me, not an angry stare but a hyper awareness of something else was in the room and she couldn't take her eyes off of it. I asked her if she could see and hear me and she shook her head yes. I asked her if she was in pain or scared and she shook her head no. I asked if we were alone in the room and she shook her head no, even though no one else was physically present. I asked if what she was seeing was peaceful and she nodded yes, never taking her eyes off of what she was seeing. 

Now, I had been present for many deaths by this time, so I wasn't too alarmed if death were to happen, yet, at this moment, my spirit sensed a transition was taking place. There was no pain, no moaning, no agitation, and no fear within her bodily reactions or within my spirit. As I continued to be present with her and offered comforting words of scripture, prayer, and validating her felt emotions, I discerned an overwhelming sense of peace within the room. Again, her eyes seemed to never shut, constantly staring and moving back and forth as if she was looking straight through me. 

As I closed my visit with her, I asked, one more time, are you afraid of what you are seeing, which she denied and nodded yes when asked if what she was seeing was peaceful and welcoming. I remember saying if you are comfortable going with what you are seeing then go when you're ready. She was very peaceful and calm as I closed my visit in prayer with her. 

Later that day, before close of office hours, we received a call that she had died probably an hour after I finished my visit with her. I've had other spiritual moments with patients but this time was so transformational and confirming that even if someone were to die without any one physically present, we are never truly alone, even in death. God's Spirit, somehow, transcends our physical/spiritual barrier and as Paul writes in Romans 8.16, the Spirit confirms with our spirit that we are indeed a child of God. In that moment, I saw a glimpse of God’s greater purpose, a reminder that there’s more happening than we can see.

The Transfiguration

*In today’s scripture, we encounter a similar glimpse of God’s greater purpose. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a mountain to pray. As they watch, Jesus is transfigured before them, his face and clothes become dazzlingly bright, revealing the glory of the Father. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appear, representing the Law and the Prophets.

Peter, caught up in the awe of the moment, suggests building dwellings for them to stay. His reaction makes sense, when we experience something powerful, we want to hold onto it. We want to preserve the moment, maybe even protect it from slipping away.

But then a cloud surrounds them, and they hear a voice: “This is my Son, my chosen one. Listen to him!” Just as quickly as it began, the moment is over. The disciples are left standing on the mountaintop, awestruck and changed. And then, they must descend back into the everyday realities of ministry, back into preparation for the difficult journey ahead. This, my friends, is symbolic of life’s ups and downs. Sometimes when we are on top of the mountain, we are more scared of all the amazing possibilities than if we remained at the base of the mountain. This mountaintop moment was a witnessing opportunity for God to the world.

Glimpses of Transformation

*The Transfiguration wasn’t just about Jesus; it was about preparing the disciples for their ongoing spiritual transformation. In Process Theology, God’s work is always persuasive rather than coercive, inviting us into moments of clarity and transformation without forcing us to change. God didn’t force Jesus to climb the mountain and for Peter, James, and John to follow; it was an opportunity they chose not to let pass them by. These glimpses of God’s greater purpose soften our hearts and minds, drawing us into deeper trust and inviting us to participate in something larger than ourselves, not to simply receive but with active engagement.

Transformation rarely happens all at once. It’s often a season of preparation, a series of moments where God gently draws us away from self-centeredness and toward love of God and neighbor. Just as the disciples were getting prepared for what was coming, we too are given glimpses of what could be as God works in and through us. We must recognize that we’re not going to fully understand everything, we’re not going to get everything correct and that is a good thing because it shows growth, not perfection, in the mountaintop moments.

Recognizing the Mountaintop Moments

*We don’t always get mountaintop moments as dramatic as the Transfiguration, but God gives us glimpses of transformation in everyday life. Imagine a family in the middle of a financial crisis suddenly receiving unexpected support, a moment of clarity where they see God’s provision in the kindness of others. Picture a church member wrestling with a decision about their life’s purpose, finally finding clarity through prayer and the encouragement of their church community.

In rural Ohio, these moments can show up in the most ordinary places: while working on the family farm, waiting in traffic while driving to work, helping a neighbor in need, or gathering for a community meal. Sometimes, God’s presence feels closer in those moments than it ever does in church. It gives us an opportunity to share the good news and transformative times that we experience outside the church walls while giving evidence to our faith in the God moments.

Carrying the Vision into the Journey

*So, the question for us is: How do we carry these glimpses of transformation into the journey ahead?

We might not always feel God’s presence so clearly. Life can be uncertain, challenging, and full of unanswered questions. But if we trust that God is always inviting us into transformation, into the possibilities, then even the hardest seasons become part of the process.

Here are a few practical steps to carry with you: 1) Embrace moments of clarity. When you experience a glimpse of God’s presence, lean into it. Pay attention. Reflect on where God has been at work in your life. 2) Where have you seen God’s grace in the past week? Trust the process. Even when life feels chaotic or unclear, remember that God is always drawing you toward greater wholeness and love.

I want to challenge you this week to reflect on those mountaintop moments; you may not recognize them in the moment but we’ve all had them. Ask yourself: What glimpses of God’s work have I seen recently? How might those experiences be preparing me for the next season of life?

Reflection

*As we prepare to walk with Jesus into the challenging season of Lent, may we carry those glimpses of God’s greater purpose with us. May they soften our hearts and open our minds to the transformative work of God’s Spirit, because even when the path ahead feels uncertain, there are always possibilities leading to the next step of faith in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for the glimpses of your glory that remind us we are never alone. Help us to trust your presence in every moment, whether on the mountaintop or in the valleys of life. Soften our hearts and prepare us for the transformation you have in store. May we listen to your voice and follow wherever you lead us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.