Between Ascension and Pentecost

Since Thursday, April 13th, we have been between Ascension and Pentecost. It is normal to think about all the services of Holy Week as “walking in the footsteps of Jesus,” but until this morning, I had never really thought about the fact that we “walk in the footsteps of the disciples” as we move from Ascension to Pentecost. The thought grabbed me, though, that between Ascension and Pentecost is a profound image for much of life.

At the Ascension, Jesus told the disciples to go to Jerusalem and wait for the power of the Holy Spirit, who would be given by the Father, so that they could accomplish the task to which they were called (Acts 1:4-8). The image of the disciples receiving a call and yet having to wait in patience for God’s powerful presence fits much of our experience. The disciples didn’t know how long the wait would be and didn’t know what it would be like to receive the presence of the Holy Spirit. They just had to wait in patience and faith.

We, too, oftentimes know that there is something for us to do. Perhaps it is a particular task, job, or goal that we know we are supposed to do. Perhaps it is a new spiritual discipline or a deeper level of pursuing God to which we know that we are called, and yet have not been able to succeed in yet. Perhaps it is a level of contentment and peace in our circumstances that we desire but cannot achieve in our own strength. Perhaps it is reconciliation in a particular relationship. We all have had moments where there is something before us, something from God, that we cannot yet reach. In those moments, we are called, like the disciples, to wait in faith. We are waiting for God to show up, waiting for the strength of the Holy Spirit to do what we are called to do, waiting for the promise to be given.

We don’t get to dictate the length of the wait. We don’t know what it will be like for God to arrive. We don’t know how the calling will be fulfilled. Like the disciples, we are simply called to remain in our particular Jerusalem until God arrives.

As you wait for Pentecost on Sunday, let the fact that we are between Ascension and Pentecost encourage you to keep waiting for the presence of God, who will lead you into the calling he has for you, in his timing!

Steven+