Mountaintops and The Marketplace

date:

March 19, 2012

by:

Robert Tamasy

Have you ever had a mountaintop experience? Not literally climbing a mountain, although that can have the same effect, from what I hear. I mean a very special moment, perhaps at a particularly awe-inspiring natural setting. Or maybe at an event – like a conference or retreat where you heard powerful, highly motivating speakers and leaders that inspired you to do things differently, or better, or with greater zeal. 

Over the years I have had numerous “mountaintop experiences.” Visiting a natural wonder like the Grand Canyon, with its unimaginable grandeur, was one such occasion. But most often my “mountaintops” have come during conferences and other professional and spiritual gatherings. There I met wonderful people and heard outstanding messages that challenged me to become a better man, husband, father, businessman, writer, editor, mentor, and friend. 

Sometimes my experiences included what I term a “spiritual high,” feelings of euphoria, excitement and enthusiasm that had me convinced I would never be the same. “It will be different when I get home (or back to work),” I would think.

There is only one problem: We cannot remain on the mountaintop. We must return to the valley, back to where deadlines, job demands, financial stresses, unreasonable coworkers, bosses and clients reside. Sometimes back in the “valley,” the pressures of everyday life hit us so strongly that we quickly wonder, “I felt so excited just a few days ago. What was that all about?” 

So what do we do once we leave the mountaintop behind and return to our day-to-day doldrums? How can we succeed in following through on our resolve to make necessary changes even after the glow of the mountaintop moment fades? I would suggest that we keep in mind that we are not alone:

God is always there. If you felt convinced that changes were necessary, chances are good God was speaking to you through the speakers and the messages. Remember, you might have encountered Him on the mountaintop, but He will also meet you in the valley. Psalm 138:7-10 assures us, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”

Your spouse wants to help. Even if your spouse does not share your talents or expertise, God has a way of using our spouses as sounding boards, sources for valuable outside feedback, and to offer needed encouragement and support. “Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord” (Proverbs 19:14).

Trusted friends and associates can provide support. One of my passions is mentoring – meeting with other men and helping them address personal and professional issues, using biblical principles as a guide. We might have the best of intentions, but sometimes external influences – or our internal weaknesses – can get us off track. A trusted mentor, advisor or friend can help us to follow through on commitments, or offer counsel on how to make necessary changes. They can provide much-needed accountability and support. “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17).

Robert J. Tamasy is vice president of communications for Leaders Legacy, Inc., a non-profit corporation based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. A veteran journalist for 40 years, he is the author of Tufting Legacies (iUniverse); Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today’s Workplace (River City Press); and has coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring (NavPress). For more information, see www.leaderslegacy.com or his blogs, www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com and www.bobtamasy.wordpress.com.

 Reflection/Discussion Questions

1.  Have you ever had a “mountaintop experience”? Describe what it was like – and the impact it had on you.

2.  Assuming you have had such a motivating, inspiring moment at least once, were you successful in following through on the actions or changes you resolved at the time to make? Why or why not?

3.  The writer suggests that often when we have such moving, inspiring experiences, God is speaking to us through the circumstances, speakers or messages presented. Do you agree? Why or why not?

4.  How do you think turning to a mentor, advisor or trusted friend can help in carrying out life or career-changing commitments or decisions we make at such special “mountaintop” moments?   

NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to review additional passages that relate to this topic, consider the following verses:

Proverbs 11:14, 12:15, 15:22; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Philippians 4:9-17; 2 Timothy 2:2