As leaders we live in a tension between reality and a desired future.
I think there’s a similar tension in faith too. It’s the sentness tension between staying and going – the place called waiting. God places us here from time to time. It’s a space of listening, growing and seasoning.
Take for example the Great Commission Jesus gave his followers. They’re told in Matthew 28 to go and make disciples. But, then we read in Luke 24 where Jesus told them to stay in the city until they’d been clothed with power. How do you reconcile this? The disciples lived in this tension – the place called waiting.
We’ve all been there. Maybe you’re there now. If not yet or now, you’ll know it someday.
Yet in this waiting (the place between staying and going), there’s stuff for us to do and it is really important stuff too. Don’t just sit twiddling your thumbs.
Remember the period of time we are talking about for the disciples is the ten day span between the Ascension and Pentecost.
There is intentionality in the waiting. So, what did they do?
The disciples worshiped. Awed by the ascension, they return to Jerusalem with incredible joy routinely going to the temple. Even in the tension, they maintained a regular pattern of worship. (See Luke 24:50-53)
The disciples spent time together developing an inner unity creating accord. They invested in the relationships around them developing a greater intimacy in the conversation. (See Acts 1:14)
Everybody prayed; prayer was essential. They prayed alone; they prayed together. Devotion to the practice of seeking, listening and trusting was characteristic in the waiting. (See Acts 1:14)
The disciples took time to prepare. With Judas no longer numbered among them, they needed to find another to take his office. They chose Matthias. Now there were twelve. (See Acts 1:12-26)
Characteristic of the waiting is the expectation. Because of what they’d seen and known, Jesus’ followers were confident the power from on high was on its way. So, in the tension they waited expectantly trusting Jesus to deliver on His promise – the power to go.
Sometimes being sent is about waiting. We know we’re to go and yet we are told to wait. It’s the tension between staying and going.
So where does that leave us when we reside in the waiting? Make the most of the season. Whether it is for ten days, ten months or ten years. Make worship regular and meaningful. Spend time developing a greater intimacy and commonality among those near you. Don’t ever stop praying, listening, and seeking. Pray alone; pray with others. Take time to prepare. Wrap up, clean up and set up what is necessary for the going. Live with a sense of expectation. For the God who sends is faithful in the sending. The waiting is just a part of the sending. He’ll not send you alone, but with power.
