By Martha Bush

Passion Week, The Crucifixion, and The Resurrection have taken place – what’s next?

W are entering the forty-day period that Jesus walked on earth with His disciples, instructing them how to carry on His teachings after He left them. He spoke to them about the Kingdom of God and the coming of the Holy Spirit, and for them to wait for it. And after that, you shall be a witness unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:1-8)

After He had spoken these things, He was taken up to heaven. As the disciples watched Him go, two angels appeared encouraging them that Jesus would return one day, and also seemingly admonishing them at the same time.

¹⁰ And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, ¹¹ 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.” (Acts 1:9-11)

What were the disciples doing?  They stood there gazing up into heaven.

In short, they were having a “duh” moment of "He's gone, what are we going to do now," even though Jesus had told them what to do after He left.

Honestly, I have done the same thing. I often have to stop and ask myself, "What am I gazing at that does not include being a witness for Him in my own corner of the world?"

• There are times I feel myself just gazing on thoughts of unworthiness. What do I have to offer?
• I gaze into the face of rejection. Perhaps I won’t be accepted by others when spreading the good news of the gospel.
• I gaze into how busy my life is.
• I gaze at what is going on Facebook to see what everyone is cooking for supper. 
• There was also a time in my life that I gazed into the mirror on the wall, and asked myself the question, "Who Am I?"

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 living within me, along with the invention of the internet, little unknowns like me can witness beyond my neighborhood, my city, and reach into the utter most parts of the world.  And yet, sometimes the role that I have been called to play in this hour of history falls by the wayside. Like the disciples, I stand gazing, stead of getting a move on to fulfill the great commission.

*****

My friends, 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 vision God created you to fulfill for such a time in history as this?

During this forty-day period leading up to the time we recognize the Ascension of Jesus Christ, may we collectively proclaim together—

• I was uniquely designed for a special purpose.
• I will use the gifts Jesus has placed within me to help others.
• I can and will fulfill the great commission; after all The Holy Spirit lives within me to give me the power.

I Will Get a Move on and Stop Gazing.

I Will Walk in my Identity in Christ!

Please share your thoughts in the comments.