Never Alone

7 He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. (Acts 1:7-9)

How amazing, wonderful, and crazy this ride has been. But now he's gone...again. Doesn't he know we're not ready? Before he left, this time, he helped us see that the scriptures we've known all our lives were really pointing to him. But what does that mean for us, for me? He said, if we stay here, we'll receive power from on high. Stay here. In this dangerous place, where we're not wanted. Stay here. In uncertainty, exasperation, and awe. Stay here?

And what is this power from on high? Is it the same power he had? We've been able to do some of the things he did, but not all. Will this power enable us to do everything? What if we try, and fail? Now he is not here to fix what we mess up. Or is he?

We have known such radical joy and crippling disappointment. Every moment is filled with wonder and trepidation, in equal measure. We have joy in what we think we know and fear of what we still don't understand. But he has not led us astray thus far, why would we doubt now? We'll stay here. Power will come to carry us forward.

We've not been left alone.

17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. (Ephesians 1:17-19)