They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:10-11
Her nephew is dying. Stage-four cancer. The last time we saw him was at a family funeral. His anger and agitation with the gospel was obvious and difficult to witness. The spiritual warfare in the third pew from the front was intense. “Pray for him,” she said. “Right now I’m more concerned about his soul than his cancer.”
In sickness and in health, it is always of utmost importance to be most concerned about the soul. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? (Mark 8:36-37)
Messengers God can use learn to see all reality from an eternal perspective. David got that. In Psalm 2 he didn’t fear the “kings of the earth” who were rising up with the intent to replace God. He had an eternal perspective! The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them (Psalm 2:4). The Old Testament heroes of faith understood it, too. They lived as aliens and strangers on earth. They knew that their tents were temporary and something better was coming–a heavenly home! (Hebrews 11)
Keeping our eyes set on things above does not mean we stand immobile looking into the sky. That was the stance of the disciples when Jesus ascended. Absorbed in the moment, did they jump out of their skin when two men dressed in white suddenly stood beside them? Those men asked, “Why do you stand here looking into the sky?” What are you guys doing? Why stand still when Jesus told you to go?
Perspective changes everything. When we see a lost soul from an earthly perspective, we procrastinate, make excuses, and fear awkwardness. Instead of speaking up or reaching out, our tongues and feet stand still.
But when the perspective is eternal, there’s no biding time looking in the sky. Until Jesus returns or calls us Home, we’re on the go. With a clear picture of eternity and what Jesus means for each soul, we seize every opportunity to hold out the hope of the gospel.
Send Me: Are you on the go or standing still?
