Faith in Every Phase
Have you ever looked up at the night sky and just been in awe of the moon? I mean, really stopped and took it in—the way it shines so confidently against the dark, like it was made for this moment. Every time I see it, I’m reminded of something so powerful about our own lives and our walk with Jesus Christ.
Here’s the thing—the moon doesn’t create its own light. It simply reflects the light of the sun. And guess what? You and I are just like that. We aren’t expected to create this perfect, glowing light all on our own—because, spoiler alert: we can’t. But what we can do is reflect the perfect light of Jesus Christ. He’s the source, the real deal. All we have to do is turn toward Him, and His light does the rest.
But here’s the part that intrigues me—the moon goes through phases. Sometimes it’s full and bright, lighting up the entire night sky. And other times? It’s just a tiny sliver, barely there. Sound familiar? Yeah, we’re like that too. Some days we feel so full of faith, so on fire with Christ’s love that we feel like we could light up the world. But then, there are those other days—the days where we feel dim, distant, or just plain not enough. But you know what? The sun never moves. The source of the light? Constant. Unchanging. And just like that, Jesus is always there, even when we feel like we’re falling short. Even when we feel like we’re barely hanging on by a thread, He’s steady. He’s waiting for us to just turn back toward Him so we can reflect His light again.
This is where discipleship comes into play. Discipleship isn’t just about knowing Christ—it’s about following Him, trusting Him in every season, and allowing His light to shape how we live and love. True discipleship calls us to turn toward Him even in those “sliver” days, when we feel like we don’t have much to offer. It’s easy to follow Him when we feel full of light, but real discipleship happens when we choose to reflect His light even in our weakest moments, trusting that His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
I don’t know about you, but I’ve had plenty of “sliver” days in my life. Days where I felt like I didn’t have much to offer. Life feels hard, demanding, and my energy just isn’t helping me break out of these messy feelings. But I know there are no coincidences when it comes to God—He’s a part of everything. So, tonight, when I stepped outside to take the trash out and noticed a full moon shining brightly in the sky, it grabbed my attention. That’s when the thought of this moon allegory came to me. And here I am, writing these thoughts and impressions down. Maybe you’re feeling that way right now. Maybe you feel like your light is barely flickering. But here’s the thing—even the tiniest bit of light can pierce the darkest night. Your light matters. You matter. Christ is using you, right where you are, in the phase you’re in—full moon or crescent, it doesn’t matter. His power is in you. It’s not about how bright you feel, it’s about how constant He is. And He is always shining. (3 Nephi 11:11)
And get this- the moon shows up when it’s dark. That’s when it shines. The darker the night, the brighter it seems. Doesn’t that feel true for us too? We are needed the most in the darkest times—in our hardest moments, in the struggles, when the world feels overwhelming. That’s when we can reflect the light of Christ the brightest. It’s not in the moments when everything is perfect, but in the messy, the raw, and the real. That’s where Christ’s light shines through us the most. And trust me, He’s working through you. Yes, you. (3 Nephi 12:16)
Discipleship is about showing up in those moments, just as the moon shows up in the night sky. It’s a commitment to keep walking in faith, even when it’s hard, even when it feels like we have nothing left to give. It’s being willing to let His light shine through our cracks, trusting that His grace is sufficient. It’s stepping into the dark, knowing that with Christ, we don’t have to fear the shadows. We don’t walk this path alone. The closer we draw to Him, the more His light fills us, and the more we can reflect it for others.
And here’s something important to remember:
the moon doesn’t just stay in its “sliver” or “new moon” phase. It waxes. Slowly but surely, the light begins to grow, and what was once just a sliver becomes fuller and stronger with time. In our own lives, we have seasons where we might feel like we’re at our dimmest—days where we can’t see our light at all—but that doesn’t mean it’s permanent. There’s a natural waxing that happens in our spiritual lives too. As we persevere, lean into Christ, and allow Him to work in us, our light grows. We grow. Just like the moon’s phases, there are seasons of growth and strength waiting for us, even when we feel at our weakest. Our sliver days are not the end of the story; they are simply part of the process of becoming brighter, more filled with His light, and more equipped to reflect His love.
So here’s what I want you to know—no matter where you are in your life, no matter how much or how little you feel like you have to give, you can reflect Christ’s light. You don’t need to be full or perfect or have it all figured out. All you need to do is turn toward Him. Let His light fill you. Let it shine through you. Whether you feel like a full moon, radiating His love, or just a sliver barely hanging on—you are still His. And His light? It never stops shining, not for a second.
I need you to hear this:
You. Are. Needed. Your light is needed. And with Christ, you’re more than enough. Right now, today, you have everything you need to be a reflection of His love, His grace, His power. So, keep turning to Him. Keep reflecting His light. Because the world needs what you have to offer, no matter what phase you’re in.
*Art by Yongsung Kim*
Let’s be the moon. Let’s shine in the darkness, reflecting the light of Christ wherever we go. We don’t need to be perfect. We just need to be willing. Even in the “new moon” phase, when the moon doesn’t shine for a time, it doesn’t cease to exist—It’s still there. I promise you, it will shine again, just like our faith during seasons of darkness. Keep going, my friend. You’ve got this. Christ is with you, always, and you are more than capable of lighting up the world with His love. Keep reflecting. Keep shining.
And remember, true discipleship is about persistence, even when the way is unclear. We walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Trust Him, follow Him, and let your life reflect His glory.