Why do you stand here looking into the sky?

I have been working through the New Testament using Warren Wiersbe’s “Be…” series. Right now, I’m in Acts, using Wiersbe’s accompanying material “Be Dynamic”. I love that word dynamic! That is something that I am not, but have always strived to be. I’m comfortable behind the scenes—but not with being “out there”. But what he’s talking about is not an “in your face” kind of “dynamic”, but rather the motivating kind.

In the first 11 verses of Acts, we read about Jesus’ ascension into Heaven and the promise of His return. We hear the challenge of going into “Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth” with the Gospel. But after that, two men dressed in white suddenly appear, and they ask this question of those witnessing Jesus’ ascension: “Why do you stand here looking into the sky?”

That phrase hit me. So often, we as Christians become paralyzed. It’s so easy to get bogged down in all of the junk and not have clear direction, and end up stagnant. Or, it’s easy to be looking at ONLY the eternal, that we’re paralyzed here in the present. I think that’s what the disciples thought. Their Savior and Lord disappeared into the sky…but they knew He was coming back. If I were standing there, I’d probably just want to sit down and wait. But, the two men in white prompted them into action.

Here’s what Wiersbe has to say about this passage in Acts. Leading up to this event:
“Jesus did not rebuke them when they “kept asking” about the future Jewish kingdom. After all, He had opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, so they knew what they were asking. But God has not revealed His timetable to us and it is futile for us to speculate. The important thing is not to be curious about the future, but to be busy in the present, sharing the message of God’s spiritual kingdom.”

Waking up this morning, with a new administration, with uncertainties about the economy and with all of the concerns that each of us has individually, this was a timely thought from Wiersbe. It is not important to be curious about the future, but busy in the here and now.

We have so much work to do, so many relationships to build, so many to share the Gospel with. We should each feel a sense of urgency, and a call to action. Just like the men in white implied…don’t just stand here, get moving! There’s a whole world who needs to know the love of the Savior that we already know and love!

This month is Missions Month in our church. We will hear testimonies and be challenged about spreading the Gospel. After that, in December, we begin an EXCITING ADVENTURE through the scripture – The Word of God for the People of God. Our Pastor has developed a 2 year walk through the scriptures for our church. God has AMAZING things in store for our future. Let’s put our feet to the plow and stay faithful everyday in our service to Him. Remember that you all are the FIRST TOUCHES with people as they come into corporate worship. You are important and you have purpose! It’s going to be a wild ride!