Scripture reading: Acts 1:1-11
Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He left instructions for His disciples and also the promise of them receiving the Holy Spirit who would empower them to be witnesses to Him throughout all the world. Jesus had them focused on the future but how were they going to do the work He set out for them if He wasn’t with them? It may have seemed that their ‘help’, whom they were familiar with, was leaving them as they stood gazing but this wasn’t the case as they were reassured that He would return the same way He left.
We have a tendency to focus on what we have or what we have lost. Our future is still accessible and it is brighter and better than what we once knew. Here are some things to remember as we go beyond the gaze and move forward toward the future:
- Our God is still sovereign – God is still in charge of His world. He is in full control and still determines what happens. Acts 1:7
- Our Helper is still available – The Holy Spirit empowers us to do what God has set out for us to do. Acts 1:4 Acts 2:4
- Our work is still unfinished – We have to continue to finish all that Jesus began as there are many who still need salvation. Acts 1:1
The disciples responded to the reassurance of Jesus’ return by taking action in joining together for prayer constantly with the brethren. Acts1:14
Prayer should be a movement and not just a meeting. Let us go beyond the gaze by taking purposeful action. We can’t stand gazing, no matter where we are; God is still in control.
STOP GAZING. THERE IS WORK TO BE DONE!