Living proof

“So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, ‘Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?’ He replied, ‘The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’” Acts 1:6-8

 Witness:

·      a person giving sworn testimony to a court of law or the police

·      evidence; proof

·      open profession of one's religious faith through words or actions

 Evidence:

·      the available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid

·      signs, indications

·      from Latin evidentia,  “obvious to the eye or mind”

My Abba,

The apostles’ request seems significant to me. They wanted to know when they, those they loved, and their country would experience political and spiritual freedom and restoration.

But clearly, Jesus did not shower them with particulars. It’s like he told them that information was classified and way above their pay-grade. It seems those facts were on a need-to-know basis, and they did not need to know.

I am sure they were disappointed. The words “kept asking” make them sound persistent and a little bit desperate. Much like me.

I want more than to hope for the wellbeing of my loved ones. I would like an ironclad guarantee. I want all my physical and spiritual progeny to walk in freedom and restoration. I want them to thrive spiritually, emotionally mentally, and physically.

But you did not promise the disciples, or me, divine documentation guaranteeing all our desired outcomes. It seems like a non sequitur to jump to the next statement. It’s like Jesus said the future is not what you need to know. This is:

 “You will receive the power of the Holy Spirit to be my witnesses in all situations - everywhere.” (My paraphrase)  I guess it is a safe to believe this is important stuff, since these were some of Jesus’s last recorded words before his earthly exit.

Please teach me more about how to be a witness. Empower me to live as a testimony to who you are and how you can transform the human heart. I want there to be obvious evidence in my life that I belong to you.

I love you,

Mollie

My child,

There are times you want me to be more of a hybrid between a personal genie and fortuneteller. You would like me to grant all your wishes, and let you know, in advance, how, and when, I am going to do what you want.

I am God. I can’t be a puppet to every desire of the human heart. Humans can be fickle. What you want today, you may not want tomorrow. Your perspective is limited and imperfect. I have an eternal, infinite, perfect perspective.

I always want you to ask me for what you desire. But sometimes I will not do what you want, when you want it. You may not know why, and sometimes I will not reveal the reason. You will have to decide if you will lean on me while traversing the “Land of Painful Obscurity.”

No matter what comes, I desire for you, by the power of my Spirit, to be living proof of my love, grace and truth. Let the compelling evidence of who I am overflow in your life.

Make me “obvious to the eye and mind” of others. Just as sunlight on your face is evidence of the sun, let my light illuminating your heart be evidence of me.

Treasure the remarkable privilege of being my child as you proclaim the incomparable virtues of your Father!

I love you,

Abba

photo: alinamd