When spirits were high after Jesus rose from the dead, He said to His disciples, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift My Father promised, which you have heard Me speak about” (Acts 1:4, NIV).
The disciples had ideas of how Jesus could accomplish things. I wonder if it felt deflating to hear His command to wait. They wanted to do something, but He wanted them to be tools in His hand.
There are so many tasks to accomplish in a church’s life that waiting in the presence of the Lord feels like a luxury we can’t afford.
And yet, without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, we go through our work for His kingdom like a dull axe in an endless forest of trees. When we prioritize waiting for Him to empower us, we are made sharp for our minutes and days: swinging away, strong and courageous for His kingdom.
This Week’s Prayer Focus [5 in 5]
Personal Prayer
1. Take time, right this minute, to wait. Ask the Lord to refresh and sharpen you.
2. Courageously prioritize waiting. Make a plan for prioritizing waiting every day.
3. Thank the Lord that His Holy Spirit will empower us as we are faithful to wait.
Foursquare Focus
4. Pray for an outpouring of love and resources on Giving Tuesday.
5. Begin to look toward 2019, meditating on Jesus’s restoration and healing, and what that might mean in our lives and those of our congregants.
Share your thoughts. See comments below, and add your own.
