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About three and a half years ago, a handful of parishioners and I backpacked through the Bechler River Trail in Southwest Yellowstone. It was a stunning and remote journey—just us, the trail, and the wilderness. One of the things I love most about backpacking is that it simplifies life. You’re not worried about emails, phone calls, or appointments. Your focus is just on the essentials—getting from point A to point B, setting up camp, gathering water, and resting.
One night, after setting up camp on a hill above the river, I lay in the grass and looked up at the night sky. At first, I could see only a handful of stars. But as my eyes adjusted to the darkness, more and more appeared. Minute by minute, I saw stars I hadn't noticed before. Eventually, the Milky Way stretched across the sky in all its majesty.
That experience reminds me of our faith journey—especially the story of Abraham. Sometimes, God is showing us something profound, but we don’t see it right away. It takes time for our hearts and minds to adjust, to perceive what He’s doing. Like Abraham and also the disciples at the Transfiguration, we often go through periods of waiting, confusion, and spiritual weariness before we start to understand God’s plan.
We often think of Abraham as a spiritual giant who had unwavering faith. But his journey was anything but straightforward. By this point of his life, Abraham had been following God for years. God had promised him descendants, but he was still childless. He had left his homeland and had been wandering in foreign lands. And now, he was tired, doubtful, and struggling to trust. Then, God tells Abraham to look up at the stars: "Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them… So shall your descendants be.” At first, Abraham may have only seen a few stars. But as his eyes adjusted, the vastness of the sky became clearer. In that moment, God was teaching him something deeper—that His promises are beyond what human eyes can grasp and what our first impressions tell us.
But then, something strange happens.
- Abraham falls into a deep sleep, and a great darkness falls upon him.
- This darkness represents not just nightfall, but spiritual weariness and doubt.
- Yet, while Abraham is in this darkness, God passes through the sacrificial offering, making a covenant.
What does this mean? Abraham is tired, but God is still at work. Abraham doesn’t fully understand yet, but God’s promise remains sure, the Lord is still faithful and steady. Abraham’s faith is weak at times, but God’s faithfulness never wavers.
How often do we find ourselves in the same place?
- Waiting on God.
- Feeling weary and unsure in our faith.
- Struggling to see how His promises will unfold.
Yet, God is working in the background, even in the darkness.
Fast forward to the apostles in our gospel. They, too, are on a journey of faith, full of ups and downs, doubts and struggles. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a mountain. They are exhausted, physically and spiritually. But suddenly, everything changes:
- Jesus is transfigured before them, shining like the sun.
- Moses and Elijah appear, speaking with Him.
- The disciples wake up to a vision of Christ’s divine glory.
But, like Abraham, they don’t fully understand yet.
- Peter, in his confusion, wants to build shelters—he wants to make sense of the moment.
- But God interrupts him, saying: "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to Him!"
The disciples had followed Jesus, but they had not yet grasped the full picture. They knew Jesus was the Messiah, but they didn’t yet understand that He would suffer and die. They saw His power, but they had to learn to trust beyond what they could comprehend. Like Abraham, they had to wait, to wrestle with their doubts, to trust even when they didn’t fully understand.
What do Abraham’s darkness and the disciples’ confusion teach us?
1. God’s promises don’t always make sense immediately.
- Abraham saw only a barren future, but God saw descendants as numerous as the stars.
- The disciples saw a teacher and miracle worker, but God was revealing a Savior and King.
2. Spiritual weariness is real, but God meets us there.
- Abraham was exhausted and full of doubt—yet God made a covenant with him.
- The disciples were physically and spiritually weary—yet Jesus revealed His glory to them.
- When you feel tired in your faith, don’t assume God has left you—He may be preparing you for something greater.
3. We must adjust our spiritual vision.
- Just as our eyes take time to adjust to the night sky, our faith takes time to grow and see God’s plan more clearly.
- We don’t always get instant answers—but if we keep walking with God, clarity will come in time.
The next time you look at the night sky, remember:
- The stars were always there—you just needed time for your eyes to adjust.
- God’s plan is always at work—you just need time for your heart to trust.
Like Abraham, like the disciples, we are on a journey of faith. Sometimes we will struggle. Sometimes we will be tired. But in those moments, God is still at work. So, wait on Him. Trust His timing. Keep walking, even when you don’t fully understand.
Because in time, He will reveal His glory and he will never fail to keep his promises! Amen.
