IN THE STILLNESS

May 24, 2020

Acts 1:3-11

After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

So often we get wrapped up in our own human logistical questions when it comes to major events in scriptures. Rather than digging deeply into the what is being said, we obsess with the how was it done. It doesn’t matter how Jesus ascended – or where He ascended to. What matters is that Christ is alive – ascended into heaven and promised to send the Holy Spirit to empower us to live our lives for Christ and share His word with the world!

And so we pray:

Eternal God, we know you have a plan for our lives – a plan that far exceeds our expectations of ourselves – a plan of living a life of love according to Your Son’s teachings and sharing that life and that love with all we meet. We think it would be so much easier if Christ were here among us to accomplish this plan – we feel alone in our work so often – even when we are together – even more so during this current time. Help us to remember that we are not alone – the Holy Spirit is among us waiting to empower us. Help us to prepare to receive the Spirit by reflecting on our lives and praying as You lead, reading Your Word and learning more deeply all that You want us to understand, and getting ready! Ready to go into the Word when You say ‘GO’ and be change agents for Your glory – all in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! AMEN.