Day 2: In the Meantime . . .

Adapted from Acts 1:6-7

Dear Jesus, When the disciples were together and saw you after the resurrection for the last time before You ascended, they asked, “Master, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now? Is this the time?” You told them, “You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business. What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses.” It is now over 2000 years later and we are still wondering about time and purpose. As we celebrate these next Fifty Days of Easter, help each of us to be witnesses to Your power on this earth in the meantime. Amen

Who among us is NOT curious about “when” something is going to happen? How many times a day do we ask, When can I get this or that? When will it arrive? When will the check be deposited? When will the results of the test be in?

We want some kind of certainty. In the Book of Acts the followers of Christ asked Jesus when he was going to come back before he even left. They probably wanted to know how long they had to be “odd-men-out” in a world that was increasingly hostile to them. Will Willimon described the complexity of this era as ushering in the transformation of “all previously existing relationships of power.” (Willimon, 1988, Acts, p. 19) He suggests, “the methods and values for determining worth and significance in the world, has ended.” After the resurrection, Jesus is making clear that the apostles have a job to do “in the meantime.” That job (which is continually passed on and eventually reaches us) will not be accomplished by “human grit” alone, however. The new power center is Holy Spirit driven. We need to remember this and take caution. The church is created to be a gift to the world—not a place where busyness and strenuous human effort are rewarded and praised.

So in the meantime, will we seek to follow God’s direction, remembering whatever God asks of us, God will give us the resources to accomplish? What do you think God is asking of you this day? Where in the world do you see glimpses of the Holy Spirit’s work being accomplished? Is there busyness or a strenuous task you have taken on that is NOT God-sent but ego-driven?

Prayer recap: Dear Jesus, You ushered in a new way for us to be empowered after the resurrection. In the meantime, please show us how to be Your witnesses doing Your work through the power of Your Holy Spirit on earth as in heaven. Amen.