Where are you looking?

This Sunday we remember the day that Christ ascended into heaven after appearing to the disciples for 40 days following His resurrection. The promise is given that in time the Holy Spirit will baptize them, giving them power to witness to the Good News throughout the region and, ultimately, to the ends of the earth. I can picture the amazement on their faces as Jesus was lifted up off the ground and disappeared into the clouds. In Acts 1:10-11 we read that two men in white robes suddenly appear and ask why they are still looking up at heaven. The disciples are told that Jesus will return in the same way.

I’ve heard several times in sermons that if you’re always looking in the rearview mirror you’re going to crash into something. Being part of the 21st century church is a constant balancing act of honouring God’s story as we have received it while being more and more illuminated as we let it speak to our current context. We seek to honour the faithful who have gone before us who established our gorgeous buildings and faith communities with sacrifice, while still hearing the Spirit speak to our situation and calling today.

Where we are looking matters and it impacts our ministry, particularly our educational ministry. Some people are very focused on Christ’s return and the rapture, when things will be made right again. These people can miss the needs and the presence of Christ in those around them. Some people are so focused on what they can see and touch that they can lose sight of the big picture, of the promises of God and where we are all headed and why we have this hope in the first place.

As educators, we need to try to find balance for the sake of those we are serving. We want to be intentional about where we are looking. Perhaps as we wake up each morning seeking inspiration, we want to look back and be reminded of God’s faithfulness and Jesus’ directive to His followers to share the story, of the love He showed to them, and the promise to be with them until the end of the age. As we encounter people throughout the day, we want to ensure that we are fully present, not looking ahead or back, aware of their current situation. Being in these precious moments, we have the privilege of offering the Good News of God’s love for them.

For children and youth who are perhaps overwhelmed by situations at home, their own questions and struggles, and trying to understand a world that can be so hostile, we get to remind them of the power of the Holy Spirit that can give them courage and hope. We can talk about ways of seeing Jesus’ promise around us – of glimpses of the Kingdom of heaven among us, giving us a taste of what things will be like when Jesus returns for us. We can also help to meet practical needs, sharing the Spirit’s fruit as we do.

We can spend time on our own, before bed or at a quiet time in the day, to look up to heaven again and to reflect on those in our care and what the long-term is for them. We can seek the Spirit’s wisdom to help with navigating changes like going to high school or post-secondary education, dealing with loss or family break up, bullying and peer pressure. We can ask to see God’s vision for our kids and youth and where they are headed, and to be more intentional about what we teach and expect of them so that they learn skills that will allow them to thrive and trust in God.

May and June tend to be slow down times, when mid-week programs wrap up, giving way to outdoor sports. It can be tough to be excited about pulling together Sunday school materials for even smaller numbers, and at the same time VBS and day camp season will soon be upon us, drawing in a different group of kids than usual and offering opportunities for service and renewal. In this time of transition, find time to reflect on where you are looking in your personal life and ministry life. Ask God to use this different season to refresh you, to show you something new, to offer you rest, or to change your perspective.

The disciples were unsure of what to expect after Jesus went up into heaven. What happened at Pentecost was a surprise, and yet they were open to receiving the Holy Spirit and had a remarkable impact on the people gathered in Jerusalem. As we look ahead to the birth of the church next week, may we rest on the promise of the presence of the Spirit to give us the power we need to fulfill Christ’s mission.