“Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God.”

Exodus 4:29

Moses had just spent 40 days on the top of Mount Sinai conversing and communing with the Lord. This was a true “Mountain Top” experience.

In fact, this Old Testament story is echoed (and surpassed) with Jesus, Peter, James, and John on the mountain of Transfiguration—the focus of many worship services from a week ago.

So Moses has this amazing encounter with God. It changes him. He sees things different in the wake of this. And, he is seen different by others because of his time with the Lord. Moses face glows.

When was the last time you had an experience that changed you? How you think? How you see? How you move forward? And, similarly, when was the last time you had an experienced that changed you so much people saw you different? Your behavior changed and people noticed it?

A number of things took place on that mountain for Moses. Some we know about, some we surmise, and much we don’t know. One thing we know—God renews and solidifies His relationship with Moses and all of Israel. The church word for this is covenant. For forty days Moses and the Lord established the depth and breadth of relationship between Israel and the Lord almighty. The commitment between the Lord and Moses was renewed.

Marriage renewal weekends are a powerful moment in the lives of married couples. In getting away, listening to intentional and purposeful experts, and investing in time together, married couples refresh their relationship. They fall in love again. With new tools and insights, they are better equipped to overcome challenges and obstacles. They solidify their commitment to one another. It renews them.

In so many ways this is what Moses encountered on Mount Sinai—a renewal and refresh of the relationship between the Lord, himself, and Israel. It changed Moses.

Unaware his face was shining, Moses embodied the transformative power he encountered on that mountain. Being with the Lord changed Moses. And his face reflected that light and power.

I asked you above about the last time you had an experience that opened your eyes to see more clearly and one that changed you to be seen differently.

I ask because I spent the previous 36 hours on a Mount Sinai.

With 9 others we climbed a mountain. Our eyes were opened—my eyes were opened. Our hearts melted—my heart melted. I see things more clearly than I have in a really long time. And, my hope is that my new awakening causes people to notice— something in me has changed.

Now, I don’t presume that my face is glowing like Moses’ was in the aftermath of his encounter. But I pray that the stirring in my heart sticks around.

All of this to say, I just joined some incredible people on a powerful weekend that gives me great hope. I’ll be processing this for a long time. Much of what we learned and discussed will come out in the weeks and months ahead. I won’t be able to keep from writing about such things. But, also, this gathering was about so much more than information. It, like Moses’ face, was about transforming into the radiant servants of God, who renew our relationship with the Almighty and for the person who doesn’t know the Lord. Yet.

And, finally, climbing mountains is really tough work. I’m exhausted. Thinking. Pondering. Praying. Wrestling with God. These things are equal parts draining and exhilarating.

So, I share all of this with you today for a few reasons.

First, there is too much spinning in my head and heart not to share a little. And, with the exhausted exhilaration I’m not sure I could put together a different coherent thought than these.

Second, some things are worth celebrating, and my heart wants to celebrate this past weekend. I realize only 9 others experienced it with me, so your celebration will look different. But there is something beautiful and godly about rejoicing when and solely because others rejoice. Will you celebrate with me?

And third, today I have hope. Real hope. I’ve always had hope in Jesus—faith is one of my spiritual gifts. But I see a path towards renewal that I didn’t see four days ago. To be clear—there is a mountain in front of us, and it is huge. But I see a path up the mountain that I didn’t see before. I’m thinking about the church I’m lucky enough to serve as pastor, but also all of us who claim Christ as Lord in a culture that doesn’t know Him. Today, dear friend, I see hope.

My face is not glowing. I’m far from Moses. But today I rejoice that encountering the Lord has stirred dormant areas of my heart and energized my weary soul.

Reflect on a gathering, weekend, or retreat that changed you in some way—think about that experience and make it fresh in your heart and mind again.