[Jesus] said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:7&8
The context of these verses is that the disciples were asking Jesus when He was going to establish the New Jerusalem. The way we might have phrased their question today is "When is the second coming?" But really, in many ways, what they were asking Jesus Christ, God the almighty, maker of Heaven and Earth was "when are you going to do what I want you to do?"
Just like a bunch of little toddlers wanting their snack a little earlier, they were tugging at God's arms, trying to move it to doing just what they want.
Is it wrong to be ready for Jesus to establish His eternal physical kingdom here on Earth? No, definitely not. Scripture even warns us to be ready, to have our hearts filled with love for our coming Groom, lest we be forgotten. (See Matthew 25:1-12)
Where the disciples got it wrong, where I seem to be getting it wrong every single day at this juncture in my life, is attempting to move God's arm.
Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. Isaiah 40:10
God is coming. His might and rule is fair and sovereign. He bears gifts for His children and holy compensation for evil done in the world. His timing is already set and perfect.
Much like in the store when your two year old daughter spots that beautiful stuffed unicorn and cries and screams when you pass it without putting it in the cart. It doesn't matter the amount of whining or how much of a scene she's making, you're not buying her that toy.
Come Christmas morning, however, there is that silly unicorn under the tree. It is gifted at just the right time to show love to a little girl who throws fits in stores.
That's me. A little girl, throwing a fit because my life isn't currently what I expect of it.
"When, God, when?!"
Maybe the question I should be asking is "How can I be obedient to You, Father, in the mean time?" Many times I know I don't ask it because I don't want to know the answer. Maybe I think if I don't ask for a commandment, then I won't be considered disobedient.
Too bad. God's already answered the question. He's already given His command. If we are His children, we have already received power and ability from the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses to the ends of the Earth. To shout to the world about the joys and satisfaction we find in serving Jesus Christ. (See the verse above, Acts 1:8)
Yes, we bear witness of Him by the way we live our lives. We are kind to waitresses. We attend church on Sundays. We donate canned goods to food drives.
But if we are truly satisfied in Him, if we trust fully in His timing, the outward reaction is praising God so that all can hear, expressing our love for Him and His character to people around us.
In order to love God and His character, we must know Him. He has given us a new heart to seek Him. We will find Him in His Word. We will find Him among His people. This is how He chooses to fill our lungs so we can breathe Him out to the ends of the Earth.
So, now, I offer Him my prayer, things that I can only ask of Him:
Lord, help me to love you better. Remind me by the minute that your plan is already in place. Focus my thoughts not on daydreams of what could or might be. Focus my thoughts on you and you only. Lay your command on my heart to share you with everybody. If you are my best thought, fill my mind so that you are all I can talk about. Thank you so much Lord for your adoption and the sacrifice of your life so that we could be family. I love you. I love your word. Please peel away the flesh so that I can show you.