Acts 1: 1-11 Acts 1: 1-11
“7 He replied, ‘It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.” Acts 1:7
Yesterday was Pentecost Sunday and we wore red and celebrated the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives and that God speaks in every language. But in reality, this week we have our spiritual feet in two seasons. Last Wednesday was “Ascension” when Christ “ascended” to heaven and this Thursday is Pentecost when the gift of the Holy Spirit is celebrated. The Pentecost season actually starts on Thursday. Many think of ascension like Jesus on top of a hill, going up an elevator to heaven, somewhere beyond the clouds. Acts 1 tells the story.
Ascension can have two meanings though. It can be like going up an escalator but the second meaning is seen when Prince Charles ascended at the Coronation, he became King Charles as he was born to be. At the ascension Jesus returned to his glory as true God, having completed the incarnation, life, death and resurrection. The Trinity is a mystery that we believe but is so hard to explain. Jesus tells the followers to return to Jerusalem and wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit. They ask Jesus, “when?” We know that question.
The followers wanted to know when the kingdom of heaven would be fully here. We want to know when in many areas of our lives too. When will mister right come along? When will my husband finally decline, die and ascend to heaven? So many questions and Jesus answers that it is not for us to know the answer to many of our when questions. God’s timing is not our timing. It is so hard to trust and wait.
Isaiah 40:31 promises,
“but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.”
Waiting on God develops strength, vision like eagles, perseverance like runners, and the ability to walk and not faint. Pick one of those qualities and try to name an adjective that helps flesh out ‘waiting” for you and thank God that he is working on the right answer at the right time to our prayers.
On the Way to Wonder 