In the middle of December’s rush, moments of true stillness can feel rare. Yet it’s often in these quiet pauses—like sitting alone by the soft glow of Christmas tree lights—that our hearts are finally able to slow down and listen. This post reflects on how Advent invites us out of the noise and into holy silence, reminding us that even amid crowded calendars and swirling expectations, God calls us to be still, seek His presence, and rest in the refuge only He provides.

In this devotional, Elizabeth invites us to examine our expectations of the Christian life. Is it a cruise ship designed for comfort and leisure—or a battleship built for mission and endurance? Drawing on Scripture and insight from Melissa Kruger’s teaching, Elizabeth reminds us that following Christ means engaging in a spiritual battle, running a race, and standing firm in faith knowing our hope is secure in Jesus, our victorious Captain, who leads us safely to the harbor.

When King Jehoshaphat faced an impossible battle, he didn’t turn to strategy—he turned to prayer and worship. In this month’s post on The Grace & Truth Collective, Ashley Anderson gives us a wonderful reminder of the power of worship and prayer.

In this devotional, Marybeth McGee connects Psalm 145 with James 1:17, exploring how God’s goodness remains true not only in seasons of blessing but also in times of trial. While it’s easy to praise God for gifts that feel good, Marybeth reminds us that even life’s hardest challenges are opportunities to trust His steadfast character. God is faithful, unchanging, and present—upholding us in every circumstance and proving that His goodness endures through it all.