Daily Reading: 13 January
(from www.christianaid.org.uk)
Stay put
Something to read
While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. ‘This’, he said, ‘is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’
- Acts 1:4-5.
Something to think about
It’s not easy to keep still when you’re waiting for something important. Whether it’s the arrival of a much-missed friend, a phone call after a job interview, or news of a patient in hospital, people waiting are often people pacing. But when the risen Jesus reiterated the promise of the Holy Spirit to his disciples, he had one very specific instruction: stay put.
The temptation after Jesus ascended to heaven might have been to go and seek out something new. It would be natural for the disciples to try to fill the space he left in their lives; new hobbies, new relationships, new search for direction and purpose after Jesus had seemed to disappear. But instead, the promise was that God would meet them right where they were, in and with the community they had already formed. The Holy Spirit would breathe new life into absolutely everything she touched; there was no need for the disciples to seek out novelty for themselves!
If you’re feeling restless today, waiting for something to happen – pacing the floors physically or spiritually – it might be worth asking the Holy Spirit if she intends you to stay put instead. Perhaps new life is about to flourish right where you are.
Something to do
Choose part of your regular routine, and seek a fresh way to connect with God through it. It might be a note by your kettle reminding you to pray for a friend while you wait for it to boil, or a route you walk each day that could become a prayer walk.
Something to pray
God who is right here, thank you for the place and people you have called me to right now. Help me to meet you in my everyday living. If this is where you want me to stay, send your Spirit to calm my restlessness and bring peace. Amen.
Today’s contributor is Rev Claire Jones