"Ready..., Set..., Wait!" Acts 1:4
On one occasion, while [Jesus] was eating with them, He gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard Me speak about.” Acts 1:4
Have you ever ordered something you needed right away, or were expecting to hear some important news about a job or a family member? Have you ever been anxious for something to happen only to be told to wait? It’s not easy to do.
The Book of Acts begins with an unusual command from Jesus. This is the beginning of the Church. The start of a new way of living and serving for the followers of Christ in the post-ascension world without their teacher and leader. But we see that Jesus’ first command to be obeyed was to “wait” instead of “going and making disciples”. As 21st century Americans, this word “wait” is one we do not like to hear. We are so accustomed to instant service that waiting for anything is difficult. In our push-button society we expect immediate attention to our needs. This command of Jesus may seem out of place or unlike anything Jesus would have done in His own ministry. But there it is, and this is just what they do. They wait. But why? They should be doing something, anything, other than sitting around waiting, right?
Following Jesus’ resurrection, He spent another 40 days teaching His disciples until He ascended to the Father. Then they returned to Jerusalem, and they waited for perhaps another 5 days. They were waiting for God’s promised Holy Spirit so that they would be fully equipped for the work before them. What that would look like was anybody’s guess. But they waited for something or someone to come at some time. And during their wait they did not stay idle. They kept busy with what they had. The Apostles and others were gathered together, and they prayed constantly for what was to come. They also used their time to fill the vacancy left by Judas Iscariot.
So what is the lesson? Sometimes we feel the impulse to get out and do something for Christ, often ill-equipped and unprepared. Sometimes we find ourselves getting ahead of what God wants and instead focus on what we think God wants and then move forward without consulting Him. It is in these moments that God will tell us to wait. We are told to be obedient to His call to be witnesses and to share the Gospel with the world. But we may have to wait prayerfully for God’s timing, for His clear instructions, and for Him to fully equip us with what we need to serve His Kingdom.
May our Lord find us faithful with the work we have been given, in constant prayer for opportunities to serve others in love, patiently waiting in expectant hope for His return.
