The fox and the fawn…waiting expectantly…

 The fox and the fawn…waiting expectantly…

Years ago when I was taxiing my children to school, we passed various pastures each day.  One day I spied a fox in one. Another day, a brand new wobbly fawn with its  doting mother. After that, every time I passed those particular places I would look to see if there was a repeat of those initial sightings.  Never saw them again, but to this day, when I pass I look expectantly, hoping the see that little fox or fawn’s descendants…

Those were fleeting gifts at the time…not to be repeated…

As I read in the first chapter of Acts, I think of the wonder of the disciples watching Jesus be lifted up and out of their sight on a cloud…then being told he would return…

Wouldn’t it be hard not to look up expectantly all the time, waiting to see that return? Did they ever return to the same spot, watching the clouds, waiting to see Jesus again? 

We know they waited in Jerusalem, were filled with the Holy Spirit, then proclaimed Jesus near and far, but, did they think of the day of His return? They walked through trials and travels, spreading the good news, waiting…waiting…until they too departed this earthly journey…

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 

He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 

And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 

5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 

He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 

8 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.” 

And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 

And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? 

This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Acts 1:1-11

Only the Father knows the time of Jesus’ return…but we are to be watchful…

13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

Matthew 25:13 

Paul admonishes…

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

1 Corinthians 16:13

Thank YOU…help me to be watching, while waiting…