Luke 21

Scripture Focus:
“Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
— Luke 21:28 (NRSVUE)

Reflection

Luke 21 can feel heavy. Jesus speaks of signs and upheavals—nations in distress, the shaking of heaven and earth. It’s a passage filled with tension and anticipation, yet woven through it all is a steady thread of hope.

In the midst of uncertainty, Jesus says, “Stand up and raise your heads.” He doesn’t tell His followers to run or hide, but to look up with courage and trust. Why? Because redemption is drawing near. Even when the world trembles, God’s purposes are unfolding.

Advent invites us to live in this same posture of hope. We know what it means to wait—to watch for light in the dark, to long for peace in a restless world. But Jesus reminds us that waiting is not despair—it’s expectation. The signs of shaking are not the end; they are birth pangs of a new creation.

So, when fear rises or the world feels uncertain, lift your head. Christ is near—coming again to set things right, to heal what is broken, and to make all things new.

Prayer

God of Hope,
When the world feels fragile and our hearts grow anxious,
help us to remember Your promise.
Lift our eyes from fear to faith,
from despair to expectation.
Teach us to wait with courage and confidence,
trusting that You are even now at work redeeming the world.
May we stand tall in hope,
knowing our redemption draws near.
Amen.

Practice

At sunset tonight, take a moment to step outside.
Look toward the horizon as light fades into darkness.
As you watch, whisper this prayer:
“Lord, help me lift my head in hope.”

Let the evening sky remind you that every day holds both endings and beginnings—
and that even in the night, God’s promise still shines.

Copyright © 2025 Ronda Welander