That’s a problem.

May 12, 2024

Ascension Sunday

One day, two strangers happened upon a group of people who were standing in a circle looking up at the clouds. The strangers walked up to the group. No one in the group acknowledged them, as they were totally engrossed in the clouds. The strangers looked up too and agreed that the clouds looked nice. But it seemed a silly thing to be doing on a beautiful day in Bethany.

So, the one stranger asked, “Excuse me, but what are we doing?”

A disciple looked over at the stranger and said, “We are watching our Lord ascend into heaven.”

“Oh,” said the stranger. “And when is this going to happen?"

“Already did.”

“Bummer, that would have been cool to see.”

They all continued to look at the clouds and no one spoke. After a few more minutes, the strangers looked at each other and shrugged. “So, what are you going to do now?”, they asked the disciple.

“I don’t know.”

“Ah. That’s a problem.”

“Maybe,” replied the disciple.

“So, who’s in charge here?”

“Jesus.”

“And where is he?” asked the stranger.

“He just rose into heaven.”

“Ah. That’s a problem. Did he give any instructions to you before he, you know, went up into the clouds?”

“Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.”

The strangers looked at each other and nodded. “Well, that’s a big task. How will you do that?

“Dunno.”

“I’m beginning to see the dilemma here.” The two strangers whispered something to each other, nodded in agreement, and said, “Okay, people! May I have your attention please!”

All the disciples seemed dazed as they broke out of their stupor. A few rubbed their strained necks. Others muttered to each other, “When did these two show up?”

“All right then, folks,” the strangers said. “It’s a little weird that you're all just standing around here. You were given a task that is pretty big. But, it sounds like your friend Jesus, would not have asked you to do this if he didn’t think you were up to it. I’m thinking maybe you should head back to Jerusalem and talk this out. What do you all think?”

The disciples all looked at each other and spoke to each other in low voices. After a bit, they began nodding their heads in agreement. One of the disciples, a woman, turned to speak for the group.

“Well, we have…wait! Where did they go?!”

Everyone looked around, but the strangers were nowhere in sight.

“Okay, then,” said the woman. “Lets get back to Jerusalem. Like those strangers said, we have work to do.”

***

Each morning, I am confronted by a choice. I can lay in bed and just think about what I will do that day, or I can get my lazy butt up and moving, and see what God has in store for me. Like the disciples, I am called to share the good news of Jesus with every man, woman and creature that I encounter. Every Day.

© 2024 by Timothy J. Doppel

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