Have you ever been on an amazing trip? Can you think of a place you’ve been where you never wanted to leave? A place where “Alleluia” and “Praise God” are never far from thought, if not actually voiced!

Peter, John, James had such an experience when hiked up a mountain with Jesus (Luke 9:28-36). On the mountaintop everything became crystal clear! Jesus’ face changed and his clothing became as bright as a flash of lightening! They heard God’s voice from a cloud speak, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” Like all of us who long to hold onto those amazing experiences, they did not want to leave. They wanted to remain their forever.

As amazing as Jesus’ brightness and God’s voice were on the mountain top, they couldn’t remain there forever. They came back down where they were immediately thrown into the challenges of daily life. In the dimmed light of the everyday wilderness experiences the disciples struggled, but they didn’t struggle alone . . . Jesus was still with them! Jesus doesn’t stay in the glory of the mountain, he travels with us in the hard places too.

This week we begin our observance of Lent with Ash Wednesday. Throughout the coming weeks, like the disciples before us, we’ll travel through the ordinary struggles of everyday life, with Jesus: a Way in the Wilderness (Read about our theme and learn how we will observe Lent at Bethlehem this year.) With Jesus by our side, we’ll be brave and take time to name the challenges of our life and even lament the ways our world does not match the brightness of God’s glory!

Whether we’re hiking up the mountain where we’re blinded by the light or journeying back into the wilderness where it’s hard to see, we travel together as church reminding each other every step of the way that Jesus IS with us!