About 50 days after the resurrection Jesus went back to heaven (ascended). People have pictured this in a variety of ways. The renaissance painters had him waving goodbye from a cloud. Others pictured the Ascension as a kind of disappearing act. The book of Acts says that he was taken up into the sky and hidden by a cloud.
In any event, Jesus was gone, leaving the disciples to fend for themselves without their leader. This must have felt like utter desertion, especially when they learned that they had been given the assignment of carrying on their leader's mission in his absense. Now it was their job to preach the good news, give sight to the blind, release the captives, and set the prisoners free.
Tough job: who can possibly do it?
The power came on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came. Now men and women who were previously wimpy for God were now given boldness and fruitful ministry. Great things began to happen: thousands were converted, miracles happened, and the church spread like wildfire. And the ones doing the most for God were common men and women like you and me.
We need to remember that we were put on this earth to carry on the mission of Jesus. We are not here to accumulate trinkets or experience thrills or seek pleasure or have our owies kissed. We are here to do the work of Jesus now that he has ascended into heaven.
What do you feel passionate about that needs to be changed in the world? What part of Jesus' mission lights your fire?
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I am very passionate about the plight of the unborn and look forward to a day that I can spend much of my week volunteering at "Birth Right," or some other organization very similar to that. Teenage moms and single moms are so very close to my heart.
ReplyDeleteI want to help His mission by showing kindness and support so that women don't feel like they have no other choice but to take their baby's life!!
I am very passionate about this and feel that the Lord really wants me to act on it.
Awesome answer Jenn!
ReplyDeleteI guess the thing God laid a burn in my heart for is destitute children - typically in 3rd world countries, but wherever they exist including in the US. It turns my stomach to think of what we take for granted everyday and that there are starving kids with hunger and need beyond what I can comprehend. I HATE our over-indulgent culture that wastes and takes for granted (which it's almost impossible to be here and in it and not subscribe to certain amounts of greed and "user-abuser-please me" mentality - of which I'm guilty too - but this is what fries my soul. In our family it's forbidden to say "I'm starving" -it irks me - for millions of kids that's true - for us it's NOT EVEN CLOSE. I think it's a good exercise to go hungry, to feel hungry, to deny ourselves something - anything! I wish America and other wealthy nations did much more... I wish I could do more...I just love kids and wish we could eradicate the pain destitute children feel.
I feel very passionate about supporting and promoting kindness, selflessness, and compassion in the way that Jesus preached we should be.
ReplyDeleteI see so much of the opposite in our world and it hurts me to see it when people could be the opposite if they just made the choice.
I think that showing compassion for people with special needs, whatever they may be, is extremely important. With just a little understanding, our interactions with them can be extremely rewarding and we can support them having a very fulfilling and meaningful life. I see that with my own daughter.
"The meek shall inherit the Earth"