To the ends of the earth - acts 1:12-26 (esv) - Pastor Tim Kroeker

Proverbs 16:9:

“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.”

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Have you ever had to wait? Perhaps you’ve been waiting a long time for a promotion or a pay increase at work. Maybe you’ve been waiting for Mr. Right to finally walk up and introduce himself. You might be desperately waiting until the kids are out of diapers, old enough to attend school, or get their license so they can drive themselves to activities. Maybe you’re waiting on the results from your latest medical screening. Waiting can wear a person down.

During times of waiting, it can be especially hard to make choices. How long will the wait be? How might my choices made now affect other opportunities later? Am I just growing impatient and making a rash decision?

How can we make good choices when we feel like we’re just waiting?

The book of Acts opened with Jesus telling his apostles that they were to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. But first, they were to go to Jerusalem and wait for the coming of the promised Holy Spirit, who would empower them for their worldwide mission.

After Jesus’ ascension into heaven, the apostles obediently returned to Jerusalem, and while they waited, we read that they selected a replacement for the traitor Judas. We see that this decision was born out of constant prayer and was according to God's revealed will in the Scriptures.

Their first-century example is a model for you and me as we make our own choices. Good choices are accompanied by the practice of prayer and are always in agreement with God’s word. What’s more, we now have the Spirit of wisdom abiding in us. As Spirit-filled Christians, we can move forward confidently as we apply wisdom to our life choices, even in moments of waiting.

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