My house is tidy however I am never going to with the prize for better Homes and Gardens, more something for better hordes and Good Lord look at those cobwebs.  I find myself like the Disciples at the Ascension just standing there looking up. Well not up around me thinking now what should do.    We all have had those moments of standing in the middle of the room thinking now what do I do. 

What a question “What do I do.     Life is full of “now what do I do moments”   There has been times when I have been working on my Titanic model just looking at it thinking of what has to happen next for so the next what is going to happen next can happen.  If only looking at the instructions would help but I am so far off book now its all kind of thinking it out.   Be it a reno on a miniature, or the creation of one to looking at the restoration of an antique there is that what next thinking.   What to keep what to change what to do next.  This type of pondering  usually mark an ending which of course leads to a beginning. 

Our story of faith today is drawing the final chapter.  Jesus having been with the Disciples for fifty days is now ascending to heaven. The final chapter of our story, we have traveled from cradle, to baptism to the cross and the empty tomb. The stage is now set for the epilogue of the story the Pentecost Event 

When the disciples stood with Jesus and watched him ascend they just kept looking up with thoughts like well that was impressive but now what do we do?  I wonder if he is going to be long. Does anyone remember if he said anything this time about three days .

He did say stay.

But then in Acts the story is continued  They stayed looking up

Until God once more spoke to them in the angels. 

Men of Galilee why do you stand looking up toward heaven. This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven. .   The Angel of the Lord speaks to them, and askes Why are you standing there looking up and then says on your bike there is work to do.  Trust me inspiration is coming.   

Wow holy here he comes in clouds descending.

We can be like the disciples. Kind of standing still not moving ahead waiting for something big to happen.  But just as the angel reminds them so we are reminded there is nothing to be gained in standing still. 

We all need the pause the standing and wondering what next. In many ways when we ask that question, we are inviting the Holy Spirit to come and inspire us.   

We are called to be a living body of Christ not the statuesque body Christ.  Not to look just up, all you see are clouds, not just down or back but to look forward. 

To be people of action.   To leap into action even at times if we can’t see the way that we are going.  Trusting in the presence of God to lead us.   

Jen Richardson in the last stanza of her poem “Wait” found in the painted prayer book reminds us. 

You cannot know it now ,cannot even imagine what lies ahead,
but I tell you the day is coming when breath will fill your lungs
as it never has before
and with your own ears you will hear words coming to you new
and startling.
You will dream dreams and you will see the world ablaze with blessing.

Wait for it.
Still yourself.
Stay.