Our Peaks and Valleys

In a recent column sportswriter Jack Epstein noted that the defending Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks are having a less-than-stellar season as they try to defend their title; they are not the dominant team they were last year. Epstein writes:

“And it has nothing to do with the Seattle Seahawks. It is simply the fact that in the NFL, more so than in other leagues, it is too difficult to defend a championship. There has not been a repeat winner since the 2003-2004 Patriots, and the 2005 Patriots are the last defending champion to even win a playoff game. In fact, since 2005, four defending champs have missed the playoffs outright the next season.”

He suggests a number of factors, but my purpose is to relate it to a reality of Christian life: a mountaintop experience is eventually followed by decent into a valley. A story from Scripture illustrates this reality well: the Transfiguration in Luke 9:28-36.

“As [Moses and Elijah] were about to depart from [Jesus], Peter said, ‘Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ But he did not know what he was saying.” (Luke 9: 33) Peter is caught up in the glory and the grandeur of this incredible moment, and understandably so. Jesus’ face changes appearance, his clothes become dazzling white, and he is conversing with Moses and Elijah, in proclamation that Jesus is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. It is now time for the moment to end, but Peter wants to cling to it. His suggestion to build tents is noble, but this glorious moment must end. Jesus and the disciples need to return to “the grind” of their daily life.

The life of an athlete is somewhat like this. There are peaks and there are valleys. The peaks are so glorious that the temptation to cling to them is strong. But the work must carry on. Moments after winning the 2002 World Series, unabashed joy exuded in the Anaheim Angels’ clubhouse as the team celebrated its first championship. Yet while most of the team celebrated, one player was reported to be alone at his locker, a solemn look on his face. When asked what was wrong, he responded that now the hard part would begin. Now that the Angels were the champions, everyone would be after them the next season. The realization quickly set in that defending a championship is more difficult than winning one. The peak would soon become a necessary valley, and he must not cling to it.

As Christians we visit Mt. Tabor, but we also visit Calvary. Both are very sacred places to be.