Peter is witnessing the glory of Christ, and somehow, he still finds a way to make himself useful. I jest…

It’s almost comical. Jesus is literally shining with divine glory. Moses and Elijah have appeared. Heaven is breaking into earth…and Peter’s response is essentially, “I can build something.”

Before we’re too hard on him, we should recognize ourselves in him. There is something in all of us that would rather contribute to our salvation than simply receive it. We prefer ladders to grace. Projects over surrender. Effort instead of dependence. Those things seem far more attainable to us.

Now, Peter’s shelters weren’t necessarily sinful; they were simply unnecessary. The Father had not brought the disciples up the mountain to build something for Jesus. He brought them there to behold Him.

How often do we confuse activity with intimacy? We serve, volunteer, lead, organize, and produce. None of those things are bad. Yet they become dangerous when they replace simply enjoying Christ. The heart can become so busy doing things for God that it forgets to enjoy God.

The gospel confronts our obsession with earning. Jesus did not go to Calvary so that we could spend our lives proving ourselves worthy of Him. He went to Calvary because we never could.

Many of us live exhausted because we are still trying to build shelters that Jesus never asked for. We are trying to construct an identity through success, ministry, parenting, relationships, or achievement. Yet every shelter we build eventually shows its cracks. Only Christ is sturdy enough to hold the weight of our souls.

Poet and rapper Jackie Hill Perry often reminds believers, “Grace doesn’t merely forgive our failures; it exposes our self-sufficiency.” The cross shows us that our greatest problem wasn’t weakness; it was thinking we could save ourselves.

The mountain wasn’t meant to showcase Peter’s work. It was meant to showcase Jesus. And the same is true for our lives.

Final Thought: Put down the tools of self-reliance and marvel once again at Christ.