Issue 067
Do you ever feel that you are in a ‘between time’ in your working life? It can happen when a project, deal or case ends and there is a gap until the next one. Alternatively, it may be a vague sense that your work has lost direction and the challenge or sparkle has yet to return. For others, this ‘in-between state’ consists of a period of unemployment when the phrase ‘between jobs’ is in regular use.
Whatever the cause, the effect is the sense of marking time. It is a phase of apparent non-achievement or at best under-achievement. This can be accompanied by a feeling of low self-worth, measured in relation to achievement levels.
The first disciples had a rollercoaster ride of experiences towards the end of Jesus’ life on earth. The terror of the crucifixion, followed by the exhilaration of the resurrection appearances, culminating in Jesus’ ascension. After this, however, came an ‘in between time’. This ten-day period was one of strange uncertainty. They had a promise of power but little awareness of what exactly that could mean; they had been told only to wait.
We don’t know all they did, but two things stand out: Firstly, they replaced Judas, and in so doing repaired a hole in their team. Secondly, they joined together constantly in prayer. It was not clear what God was doing in this in-between time either but we do know that when the Spirit came on the first day of a working week in Jerusalem, the disciples emerged from the in-between time ready for a massive task.
Perhaps it would be wise to welcome these in-between phases and use them to repair damage of which we are aware in ourselves or in our relationships and take the opportunity to pray (perhaps with others). It is not easy to know what God’s next step is but these two activities are bound to improve our readiness for it.
Acts 1: 7-26
7He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11″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.”
12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, andJudas son of James. 14They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.15In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus– 17he was one of our number and shared in this ministry.” 18(With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
20″For,” said Peter, “it is written in the book of Psalms, ” ‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it, and, ” ‘May another take his place of leadership.’ 21Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” 23So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
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Geoff Shattock
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