Acts

noreply@blogger.com (Jack) — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:22:00 +0000

Honestly,
I haven't felt an urgent desire to do this book.

Its been easier to rest in the satisfaction
of finishing the four gospels,
and continue no furthur.
at least for awhile...

I never liked history all that much, anyway.

Just the word "Acts" suggests to me
that the next part of the story
will be about what the people did after Jesus left.
Act.
They acted.

Maybe I'm more interested in the philosophy of
Life, The Universe and Everything
than the actual people?
and their actions.
(I don't even watch the news)

Maybe I have this deep-seated mistrust
that what people do after God leaves
is quite often misguided?
(damage has been done)

Maybe its the fear that I will discover
what good men do when they are inspired,
and I will be forced to notice
that my own life doesn't measure up?
(ouch)

That's probably it....

That's It.

-=-=-=-

I remember a spiritual experience
at a men's retreat when I was 37.
Although I had been baptised twice before,
this was different.
Something happened inside.
A stranger laid his hand on me,
and said a prayer.
It was the right time
and the right prayer
the perfect moment
and I willingly and heartfully agreed with every word.
and I gave it up.
I wanted to.
I consciously performed an act of surrender
and it was beautiful
My perception of my own life changed in an instant.

I looked around me and everything seemed different.
overwhelmed by peace.
realized hope.
knew joy.
was love.

In the days after, I began to wonder:
"Have I Been Wasting My Life?"
"Should I Walk Away From My Family and Follow?"
(as several in the New Testament did)
"Should I Quit My Job and Do Something Meaningful"?
(as several in the New Testament did)
"Where Do I Go From Here?"
"What is My Next Act?"

In the days after,
a fellow christian noticed my glow and advised me
to set aside the physical changes for awhile,
and nurture the spiritual changes.
And with that,
I gradually settled into my old life.
(not really, I could never be that old self again, but)
I adjusted my new outlook into an acceptable way
of fitting back into the world.
That's what anyone does when plopped into
unfamiliar surroundings, right?
adapt.
Was that fortunate?
or unfortunate?

What if I had allowed the desire for radical change
to blossum?
What if I had maintained that level of vibrant excitement.
What if I had cast off my old life and started anew?
Well, for one thing,
I probably wouldn't be right here,
writing this right now,
but each life makes it's own path, right?

and I know
deep down
that what really needs to be done in my life,
can be done from right here.

I could probably start with the deadly seven
Lust, Gluttony, Sloth.... (pleasure-seeking)
but let's change the subject!

So here I am.

Thirteen years later.

Moving from
the Gospels
to
the Acts

seems like moving from
the teaching
to
the doing.

I know I haven't been living up to my potential.

-=-=-=-

So here we are
beginning Acts.
The Messiah has come and gone.
Unexpected events have happened,
but the crescendo dies down eventually,
and all is quiet.

What happens next?

Did anyone begin to doubt?
Were they tempted to close the chapter and move on?
Box it up as a wonderful experience,
Treasure it as a favorite memory,
and start the next chapter of their lives?
Get a Job?

Jesus is gone and I'm interested to learn
what happens when the leader goes...
(What happens to a modern congregation
when a beloved pastor dies?)
but as soon as I consider it,
I remember that Jesus has promised a teacher
to guide in all ways.

What happens as the disciples
make the transition
from following a rabbi
to trusting the spirit?

.

Acts of the Apostles

Acts