“Cats have not been put on a pedestal, they get onto it themselves.” – Unknown

 Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10

“On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, as well as a thick cloud on the mountain, and a blast of a trumpet so loud that all the people who were in the camp trembled.  Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God. They took their stand at the foot of the mountain.  Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke, because the Lord had descended upon it in fire; the smoke went up like the smoke of a kiln, while the whole mountain shook violently. As the blast of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses would speak and God would answer him in thunder.  When the Lord descended upon Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain, the Lord summoned Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.” Exodus 19:16-20 

Every once in a while I glance at the top of my refrigerator, and there is one of our cats sitting and staring down at me. Her name is Mia. She loves to sit on anything other than the couch, the floor and any of the numerous chairs in our home. The higher it is, the more she wants to sit on it.

Moses, Jesus and Elijah are just a few of the people from the bible we know who went to the mountain top to speak to G-d. It is from the mountain that we often feel closer to G-d. Many of the cemeteries I have been to in my time as a pastor are situated upon the highest places in a town. This is true in Duncannon, the location of my first call as a pastor. The best view of the river and its course is from the cemeteries.

If you believe that you must climb a mountain to be close to G-d, then I am here to tell you that G-d is no further away than the prayer on your lips, and the contemplations in your head. My cat may believe that the higher she climbs the more commanding she is – the same is not true with G-d. Certainly G-d spoke to many from a mountain top. But Jesus never remained on the mountain – Jesus came down to be with people, to minister to people, and to love people.

My cat may seek the top of the hill – G-d seeks the center of your heart.

Pastor Dave