"After [Jesus] said this, he was taken up before their eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 'Men of Galilee . . . why do you stand here looking into the sky?" (Acts 1.9-11a)
This story always strikes me a little funny. I can just picture the disciples with their jaws on the ground and necks craned up to the sky to try to follow where Jesus has gone. Well, it strikes me funny until I realize the times I am tempted to do the same. Sometimes, we Christians just want to "lock ourselves away from the world," with our private prayer meetings and our safe worship services. To all of us, the Spirit of the Lord says, "why do you stand here looking into the sky?" Private prayer and worship is important. But there comes a time for action in the name of the Lord. If we really are connecting with Jesus in prayer and worship, then the time comes for an end to sky-gazing. The time comes to go out into the world, make disciples, and transform the world. The faithful disciple lives out a rhythm of prayer and mission outreach, worship and service in the world.
Dear Lord, as beautiful as Jesus is, help me to balance looking for him and service in his name.
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