Mountains

Once upon a time, in ancient Israel, there existed a great debate. The central question was, "Where is the right place to encounter and worship God?" Originally the ancient, nomadic Hebrews probably all agreed that the best place was in the mountains. After all, that was where Moses went to talk to God, and where the Mosaic law was delivered, or at least the Ten Commandments. When it came to finding God, the Mountains were clearly where it was at!

Over time, however, the people became more and more urbanized, and by the time King David made Jerusalem his capital, many people recognized a need for a local temple where the sacred objects such as the Arc of the Covenant could be held. These were ancient and sacred symbols that were very closely associated with the Divine Presence. While King David was never able to build a temple in Jerusalem, his son Solomon did accomplish that feat. Over time, the temple in Jerusalem became ensconced as the place where not only the sacred objects were held, but God was thought to dwell there in person. It was here that people came to worship.

Still the debate continued, however, and over time, the priests who served in the temple began to discredit the mountain shrines as inappropriate. By the time Jesus came along, those in Jerusalem considered those who went to the mountains to be religious outcasts; not true Hebrews at all. In time, given the passing of enough years and sufficient tragedy, the debate was largely abandoned.

In Trail, British Columbia, however, there is an Anglican Priest who seems to have decided that the matter is not at all settled. Reverend Neil Elliot is a pastor who recently completed his PhD in…are you ready…snowboarding. That’s right, snowboarding! Reverend Elliot is a snowboarder, who testifies that he has experienced the transcendent while carving trails in fresh powder in the mountains. Further more, in exploring this matter with others, he soon discovered that he is not alone. It seems there are many boarders who have experienced times of spiritual opening in the mountains.

Now at this point I should confess that the connection between the mountain experience of the ancient Hebrews and Pastor Elliot probably exists only in my head…or does it? You can read more about Neil Elliot and his Doctoral thesis by clicking here. Then you decide what the connection is.

President Stephen Veazey has been known to go to a Tennessee River to fish and be alone with God. Mother Teresa found her connection on the streets of Calcutta. Is there any reason why snowboarders should not experience transcendence while gliding down a snow-covered mountain?

What about you? Where do you go to experience the sacred Presence?

Posted by Carman