“Powerless Availability”

Have you ever found yourself in a liminal season of life. What once was is no more, and what is to be is not yet clear. There is no amount of analysis or research or even praying that can expedite the process. The only available option is to . . . . . . . . . . . wait.

Jesus’s closest companions found themselves in that very situation (Acts 1). After all they had been through together, his response to their questions was that they would simply have to wait. There was nothing they could do to expedite the process or force God to do anything. What was going to happen was going to happen in God’s own time by God’s own authority.

I wonder if that is why some of our efforts are thwarted. Sure, we can accomplish just about anything we put our minds to. We have been gifted by God with extraordinary gifts and talents and, through the gift of free will, we can direct those gifts and talents toward any number of ends. Pretty impressive ends at that. But there are some things we cannot accomplish through our own gifts, talents, and even sacrificial perseverance. . .

We cannot earn or merit our way into the realm of God. Our good behavior, our strict observance of rituals, our disciplined efforts at “don’t taste” and “don’t touch” — none of this gains us access. So what does?

Great question. It is one we will consider together tomorrow. What a great way to conclude an already brilliant season of discussion!

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