Faith@First - March 28, 2025
At Olivia’s soccer game Tuesday night, the clouds hung so low they almost looked like mountains. Captivated like I was, Isabella leaned in close and whispered, "It looks like you could just climb up to heaven." Her words struck me deeply, for that is the hope of this Lenten season—that through prayer, scripture, and song, we might ascend into God’s presence.
Yet, as I continue to reflect on that image, I am mindful that for many, God doesn’t feel so near. There are moments when the mountains seem insurmountable and the heavens unreachable. Life’s trials—grief, anger, disillusionment—can make us feel lost, as though God is distant and we are wandering in the valley rather than climbing toward God.
As I journey through Lent, I am convinced that these feelings are part of following Jesus. Every day is not a joyful ascent toward heaven. Sometimes, faith is crawling—through anger, bitterness, and resentment. Sometimes, worship is heavy with doubt, and prayer feels like it falls on deaf ears. But here’s the good news: God is with us on the mountaintops and in the valleys. Whether we feel the divine presence in the clouds or struggle to sense it in our pain, God remains faithful.
So, I invite you this Sunday to gather in worship, to take one step closer to God. Whether you come rejoicing or weary, full of faith or full of questions, know that God meets us where we are.
Pray with me: Loving God, when the mountains seem too high and the valleys too deep, remind us that You walk with us. Give us the strength to keep climbing, the grace to trust, and the faith to know we are never alone. Amen.
Keep the Faith @First,
Pastor Nicole
