We have all experienced times of change and transition which have proved to be very challenging. (I recently retired after 34 years of pastoral ministry in a beautiful country town and relocated to the city to be near my children and grandchildren – a very difficult transition indeed!)
The start of a New Year often brings with it it’s fair share of turmoil and change. However, whether we like it or not, we have to accept that life is full of transitions where we need to move from one level to the next or be left behind in a stagnant, muddy swamp. Have you thought about the fact that when Jesus ascended into heaven, His disciples faced a formidable spiritual transition? Let’s reflect on this and see what we can learn...
Act 1:9-14 After he [Jesus] said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. (10) They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. (11) "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." (12) Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk from the city. (13) When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. (14) They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
Act 2:1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
From the above Scripture we learn that approximately 120 followers of Christ waited in the ‘Upper Room’ for a period of a full 10 days. What went on in this time as they waited we might ask? Verse 14 gives us a little insight and says, “They all joined together constantly in prayer”, but we might still ask, "What did they pray about and what did they do all this time?"
As I reflected on this four words dropped into my spirit which I believe might encapsulate what occupied their time…
Adoration
Although the disciples had experienced much fear and apprehension, I’m sure that it was dispelled by their awe and adoration. They had seen, even touched the risen Lord! They had witnessed the extent of God’s love. He had sacrificed His only begotten Son for their sin and the sins of humankind. Jesus’ death on the cross had brought sorrow and grief, but His resurrection brought exuberant joy. We can safely assume that in those ten days, they spent much time in reverent worship overawed by the loving acts of God.
They had proof that Jesus was everything He claimed to be. They knew that He was God in the flesh and that He loved them.
As you face challenging transitions in life, keep your heart full of awe and adoration as you fix your eyes on Jesus. Know that…
Rom 8:28 ..in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Contemplation
Times of transition are good opportunities for contemplation. Those ten days in the Upper Room afforded the disciples opportunity to reflect back: To appreciate the magnitude of Jesus’ deeds. To ponder His teachings and reminisce over His remarkable miracles.
Contemplation often gives rise to conviction as we become aware of our own shortcomings.
Albert Einstein said that it was madness to employ the self-same methods and approach and to expect radically different results. So, before you rush through the next transition or launch your next great project, spend some time in quiet contemplation – perhaps a new methodology is required? Consider repeatedly going through this cycle as you progress through life:
Consecration
Consecration involves yielding and surrendering to the will of God. It’s easy to talk commitment, but committed people are available to God 24/7. Their time, talent and treasure is at God’s disposal. The act of staying in the Upper Room for ten days was an expression of consecration in itself. Consecrated people are willing to wait on God and they are willing yield to God’s agenda. Consecration involves being wholehearted, not having a double agenda or divided loyalties. It involves laying your plans and dreams on the altar as Abraham did with Isaac.
Rom 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
Consecration is not something you do just once. As I once heard that great Bible teacher Bob Mumford say, “The problem with a living sacrifice is that it keeps jumping off the altar”. No! Consecration needs to be a daily exercise of denying self, taking up our cross and following Christ.
Will you consecrate yourself to God in this year of our Lord 2022? Will you prepare yourself for a fresh outpouring of the Spirit to empower you for the tasks ahead?
Expectation
Jesus’ teaching about the Holy Spirit prepared them for this transition. Something new, exciting and powerful was about to overwhelm them. I’m sure that Jesus’ final instructions awakened an incredible expectation. Expectancy is another word to describe awakened and living faith. As someone once said, “Expectancy is the landing strip for a miracle”. Where there is faith God can work. The contrary is also true as Jesus experienced in his hometown Nazareth. Are you expecting God to transition you to the next level in the year to come?
In a Nutshell
If we are going to move to the next level, we must embrace spiritual transition. This will involve four ingredients…
Adoration (keeping your eyes on Jesus)
Contemplation (reflecting on the past and preparing for the future)
Consecration (surrender to God’s agenda)
Expectation (believing God for breakthrough and blessing)
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