“They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.  “Men of Galilee,” they said, “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.” (Acts 1:10-11)

     The disciples were stunned when Jesus left.  They had spent the last few years following him across Judea, watching his miracles, obeying his commands, and listening to his teaching.  And now, they had to wait without him.  Like the disciples, we are waiting for Jesus’ return.  In the meantime, we have a mission and a purpose.  Each day, we take on our routine responsibilities, but beyond that, we can ask ourselves and our Lord, “what should I be doing today?”  “What should I do to help my neighbor?” “Who, among the sick and afflicted should I visit today?”  “Whom should I give encouragement to today?  I sense that he/she really needs some encouragement.”  “In what ways shall I worship God today through word and deed?”

     Just a card, letter, or phone call can make a difference.  (I won’t even discount the effectiveness of an email!!) Each day, God can lay on our hearts to do all the good we can and to make a difference to the people in our world.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for filling our hearts with joy as we serve you.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.