Focus

Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.

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Read

Acts 1:1-11 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.  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.”

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Reflect

Have you ever seen something so amazing that you were simply speechless? Maybe it was a beautiful sunset . Maybe it was the birth of a child. Usually when we witness such things we stand in awe, which is exactly what the disciples did as they watched the Ascension of Jesus (Acts 1: 10-11). But why do we stop what we’re doing? Is it truly because we’ve never seen or known anything about what was witnessed? Surely, we’ve seen pictures of a beautiful sunset – why stand in wonder at the appearance right in front of us? Surely the disciples had seen Jesus do miraculous things (Acts 1: 3), so why was it so amazing to watch His Ascension?

Maybe it’s because we don’t really know what to do with the wonder of it all. God’s majesty and glory tends to have that effect on us! However, the angels’ question prompts us to consider what we’re to do with these experiences. Maybe we’re to stop standing around and to share our experience of God with those around us. There are many in this world who do not yet understand the gift of forgiveness through the sacrifice of Jesus. We stand in awe of Jesus and His love. Let’s get to work and share that love with others. That way, when Jesus returns in glory (Acts 1: 11), He will find us doing His work (Luke 12:37-38).

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Pray

Lord, we stand in awe of your majesty. You are our King, filled with mercy and faithful in love. Sometimes we desire to simply bask in your goodness. Help us to seize the moment and share your love with those around us. Particularly those who do not yet know, understand, and acknowledge that you are our risen Savior. By your Holy Spirit, lead us into action, so that all may one day stand in awe when you return in glory. Amen.

Go with God!