Settling for the oasis …

It’s not a mirage, but you rub your eyes just to make sure you’re seeing clearly.

It is, indeed, an oasis!

Time to quench your thirst, rest your weary body, refresh yourself from a long, tiring journey that’s far from done.

Or is it?

It’s nice here in the middle of an oasis. There’s plenty of water, and shade, and food. Comfort. No trials and tribulations of traveling.

Why not just settle here?

You’ve got everything you need right here. Why not just pitch a tent and stay?

Because that’s not what an oasis is for.

The oasis in our travels of life are those places and times God provides for refreshing, not for settling. The oasis is designed to reinvigorate and re-supply us for the journey.

It’s not our destination.

Yet, many settle for the oasis.

Like Peter wanted to.

“Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus,” Matthew 17:1-3.

Doing ministry with Jesus wasn’t an easy thing. Being on a mountaintop with the glory of Christ piercing through life’s daily routine was, to say the least, a great oasis from the journey. Add to that the appearance of Old Testament greats Moses and Elijah, and you have a scene you want to freeze frame for a while.

At least, Peter did. He wanted to pitch a tent and stay right there, in the midst of unearthly glory.

“Peter exclaimed, ‘Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials — one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah,’” Matthew 17:4.

The problem is, when you indulge your fascination for the oasis, you lose sight of not only the journey, but the purpose for it. For Peter, he was as enthralled with seeing Moses and Elijah as he was seeing Christ transfigured. So God redirected his attention …

“But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.’ The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground,” Matthew 17:5-6.

The mountaintop was for a time of refreshing, to ready the servants to get off the mountain and back down into the valley to continue the journey among those who needed them.

Imagine if Jesus (or even Peter) would have lounged on the mountaintop. If they would have pitched their tent and stayed.

Better yet, imagine this world if you settle for the oasis. What would be lost that the world will not have if you cut short the journey for the glory of comfort?

Scotty