Acts 1:7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.

An enormous amount of attention is paid to the next verse, about being witnesses under the power of the Holy Spirit, but this verse gets glossed over for the most part. To me it fits with what the angels said to the disciples in verse 11: “Men of Galilee, 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.” I made reference to that on the 29^th, talking about how we need to be fully present in our immediate circumstances, and not daydreaming about how things are going to be someday. Jesus wanted all His disciples, down through the ages including us, to be ready for His return, but we are to do so by being faithful in whatever task He has given us in the moment. (Matthew 24:45-46) Sadly, I have known good people who were totally caught up in timelines and such, trying to figure out where we were in John’s Revelation to the point that they were missing opportunities to represent Christ in the here and now. That pleases only the devil! It isn’t wrong to be aware that prophecies are being fulfilled and conditions for Christ’s return are being met, but that should make us all the more eager to complete whatever work He has for us before that time.

I’ve mentioned before that I have long had an expectation of Christ’s return during my natural lifetime, but I have known saints, one of whom lived to over 100, who had that feeling as a conviction, but it didn’t turn out that way. That age is just 25 years off for me now, which is rather exciting, but I’m not to get all worked up over it. God has given me His Spirit in order for me to be His witness, just as it says in verse 8, so I’m to spend my time making the most of every opportunity He gives me to do just that. (Ephesians 5:16, Colossians 4:5) If I will do that, then I don’t have to worry about anything else.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Right now I’m having to get used to my largely empty datebook, and it’s a strange feeling. Help me recognize each task You have for me, regardless of the presence or absence of outside demands, so that I may indeed do Your will on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!