Today is a great feast, the Ascension of the Lord, and its readings are filled with references to the power we have as believers in Christ and recipients of the great gift of the Holy Spirit.
For me, power is a tricky word. I am much more comfortable thinking He is made perfect in our weakness than receiving the power the Lord bestows on us. And yet, when I stop to consider it, what good is it to celebrate the Resurrection if I am not willing to accept its victory? If we are triumphant with Christ in the life of the Resurrection, we are champions, and we walk in the confidence of one crowned with victory.
If we believe our God defeated death, ascended to His throne to reign forever, sent us the Holy Spirit to grant us the power to carry on His work, and commanded us to use that power to make believers of everyone we meet, then truly, what more are we waiting for? Just as the Angels asked the Apostles as they stood awed by His Ascension.
Maybe we are waiting to feel stronger. Or for our call to be more clear. Or for the "nations" to look bigger than the faces we see every day in our own homes, neighborhoods, schools, grocery stores. Whatever it is that holds us back from being bold in our proclamation of Christ, it is time to let it go and accept the power we have been given.
There is someone, right now, whom you encounter every day, who needs you to offer him/her the mercy of Christ, who needs to know the battle for life has been won! Are you believing in the power you have to bring transformation to that person through the proclamation of the Gospel?
Let us look up to Heaven today in great wonder at the majesty of our Risen Savior ascending to take His place at the right hand of the Father. But let us return our attention quickly to the Earth and the ones in our midst waiting to know the glory of Resurrection life. And let us ask ourselves, what are we looking for, waiting for, if we have been promised the power we need to proclaim Him to all nations?
Go out. Make disciples. We've already won. // @colleencmitchClick to tweet
Then let us get to the work. Go out. Make disciples. We've already won.
Colleen Mitchell is wife to Greg and mother to five amazing sons here on earth. They serve in Costa Rica where they run the St. Francis Emmaus Center, a ministry that welcomes indigenous mothers into their home to care for them pre and postpartum. She is the author of Who Does He Say You Are. Find out more about her here.
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