Advent Devotions

If we’re lucky, we’ll find moments in life when we feel completely in tune with God’s presence—when we experience joy, clarity, or a deep sense of purpose. These mountaintop moments remind us of God’s glory. Yet, as much as we might cherish them, life is not lived solely on the mountaintop. We must come down into the valley, where struggle and uncertainty await.

As we heard yesterday from Luke 9, Jesus is transfigured before his disciples, revealing his divine radiance. Peter wants to stay, to build a shelter, to hold onto this holy moment. But Jesus knows that glory and struggle are intertwined. As they descend the mountain, they are met with pain—a father pleading for his suffering child, disciples struggling with doubt. Jesus heals the boy, yet his disciples still fail to grasp the path ahead.

Like them, we wrestle with uncertainty, wishing for faith that is always bright and clear. But discipleship often means following Jesus through both the light and the shadows. God is present not just in moments of wonder, but also in the depths of our struggles. Our faith is not about escaping hardship, but about trusting that God’s love holds us through it.

May you find yourself in God’s story today. -Pastor Peter

Let’s pray… God of both glory and struggle, help us trust your presence in every moment. Strengthen us in hardship, and lead us forward in faith. Amen.