"Stop Gazing!"
And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” (Acts1:10-11)
Knowledge to Build On
The above verse describes the scene taking place immediately after The Ascension of Jesus Christ. Prior to His ascension, Jesus had told His disciples He would be leaving, but coming again someday. In the meantime, they were to be a witness for Him in Jerusalem, throughout all Judea and Samaria, and then their usefulness would reach to the uttermost part of the world.” He assures them of their ability to do this work by telling them that: “The Holy Spirit will come and give you the power.”
Having given these instructions to them, He leaves. However, though He was taken out of their sight by the cloud, they kept looking up to heaven after Him. That is until two angels in the form of men appeared and reproved them for gazing up into heaven.
Life in the Now
Would you take a minute out of your busy day and allow me to personally reflect on this phrase, “gazing up into heaven,” as it pertains to my life.
1. I sense that I am living in the greatest day in history to “go into all the world as a witness for Jesus Christ.” Through the power of the Holy Spirit within me, along with the invention of the internet, “little unknowns like me,” can branch beyond my neighborhood, my city, and reach into the utttermost part of the world.
2. And yet, there are times I feel myself just gazing into heaven with thoughts of unworthiness: “What about my past?” What do I have to offer?”
3. Other times, I stand gazing into the face of rejection. Perhaps I won’t be accepted by others when spreading the gospel.
4. More times than I’d like to admit to, I stand gazing at what is going on Facebook or getting caught up in the business of life. Meanwhile, the role that I have been called to play in this hour of history falls by the wayside because of “not giving Christ first priority in my life.”
5. Many times I gaze into the lives of others and compare what I am doing or not doing with them. Oh, when am I ever going to realize that I was uniquely designed for a special purpose?
What about you? Are you being a witness for Jesus in your home, city, and yes, into the uttermost parts of the world? Are you actively pursuing the dreams and visions that God created you to fulfill for “such a time as this?”
I don’t know about you, but I hear Him whispering to me now:
Stop gazing, get a move on! You were created for a purpose! Don’t let it pass you by.
Let's Pray: Father God, we thank you for creating us with a purpose. Help us to keep our eyes on you and not be gazing at anything else. May we not allow anything to stand in our way of fulfilling the purpose. for which we were created to be.