This month marked the end of an era--the final day of the
Mayan Calendar. To the ancient Mayans, I’m sure it was unfathomable that we
would actually arrive at this moment. Maybe, since they couldn’t imagine
anything beyond what they knew, that’s why they predicted the complete
destruction of the planet. But then, it’s hard for any of us to imagine the end
of anything in which we are immediately involved or fully vested. Every summer
at camp or on mission trips, the students invariably have the “I can’t believe
it’s only been a day”/”I feel like we’ve been here forever” conversations.
When we’re completely immersed in an activity, it’s hard to
imagine or accept that it will eventually end. I can’t tell you how many times
I’ve said in the last few months, “It’s already (insert date here)? Where has the year gone?!” But years end, we
come home from trips, and activities find their completion.
I have this picture in my head from Acts 1 of the disciples
standing, staring up into heaven after Jesus, wondering what to do now, as if
they hadn’t been told this moment was coming. It’s almost like being an ancient
Mayan on December 22, 2012. The world didn’t end. Life goes on. And they can now
either live life defined by an event that happened (or didn’t) in the past, or
they can move forward into a new era, with a new and compelling vision, a
single-minded purpose that compiles all that they had experienced and learned
in the past and propels them into the unknown. Fortunately, messengers from God
woke them from their wondering and reminded them that Jesus would return.
It’s the response of the disciples at this moment that
really catches my attention today. With a new mission in life and the promise
of the Master’s return, they turned right around, acted in obedience, and the
world shook with the impact of their lives.
Most of us can quote Acts 1:8 at the drop of a hat. Here it
is in case you can’t: But you shall
receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be
witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of
the earth. It’s not like we don’t really know what to do. It’s not like we
haven’t been told this moment was coming. The world has not ended. Life goes
on.
And now, from this moment, we can live life defined by
events in our past, or we can grab hold of this old and compelling vision,
driven by a single-minded purpose that propels us into the unknown.
At the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. At the right
time, He will return. How will we spend the mean time?
It’s the response of Jesus’ disciples at this moment that
draws my attention today. With a new mission in life and the promise of the
Master’s return, will we, like the 12, live our lives this year as the martures, Christ’s witnesses and
representatives in the world? I can only imagine how Corsicana would be shaken
by the impact of just a few who would turn right around and act in obedience
today.
