Day 1: Acts chapter 1.
Dear Zikora,
Today I woke up quite early, it was a beautiful summer morning. The pink bedsheets reflected the morning sun in a mesmerizing way, and I took a picture as a reminder. You are still sleeping, and I am happy. I get to drink my hot morning beverage without you crying and insisting on cuddles and wanting to live inside my clothes, grabbing my arms and ears as I try to complete my morning routine which you sort of dislike.
I say my morning prayer and turn my Bible to Acts Chapter 1, (English Standard Version).
This chapter narrates the events following Jesus’s resurrection and how the replacement for Judas Iscariot (the disciple who betrayed Jesus) was picked. Verse 1-11 is bearing witness to Jesus’s interactions with his disciples and his instructions to his disciples after his resurrection. This section helps us understand the assurances, promises, evidence and sequence of events that gave the disciples confidence, power, and boldness to tell others about Jesus and all his wonderful works.
Here are the lessons and my perceptions of the story:
- Regarding prayer: Importance of having Community: Even though the disciples saw, heard, and dined with Jesus firsthand, and even though Jesus promised them the holy spirit, they still prayed (Acts 1vs 4-5, 8). They prayed as a group, and they prayed individually. Praying on your own is crucial, but from this chapter, I want you to notice the importance of Community as well. Having a strong group of friends who are of the same mind as Christ, and coming together to pray about things is also one of the best ways we can make our Christian journey easier and better. In Acts 1 verse 14, it says that all the remaining disciples and other close friends and family of Jesus devoted themselves to prayer and prayed about the same thing. As you go through life and collect friends, pay attention to the close friends you keep. Make sure that they are Christians and love God, and be intentional about praying together, here is your proof: “for where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them”- (Matthew chapter 18 vs 20.)
- On decision making; Pray about everything and then act: Making a decision can be difficult, especially when we want to make the right or profitable decision. The Disciples faced this issue when they were trying to pick Judas’s Iscariot’s replacement (Acts 1 vs 15). They needed to pick the right person when they had two equally excellent candidates. Here is how they resolved this: they identified the decision to be made, prayed and then took action in faith, without overthinking it (Acts 1 vs 21-26). By praying and then acting, they believed that God would allow them to pick the right person, and they also had faith that the decision that they made afterwards was the right one. Often times, we are paralyzed with fear and even after we have prayed, we act as if God doesn’t hear us or won’t help us. Praying and entrusting that decision into God’s hands gives us faith, and having faith is better than knowing if the outcome of the decision will be good or bad.
Decision making hack:
a) Before making any decision, identify the decision and make sure that it is from a place of love for God, and that it is in alignment with the commandments and instructions of God, using the word of God. It helps to write out why the decision, (in your opinion) is good or bad. this is also called a “pros” and “cons” list. Then check what the word of God says about everything on your “pros/cons” list.
b) Pray about the decision that you are about to make and ask God to redirect you if you are about to make a mistake and that his will be done. Remember, God knows everything. God knows the outcome of every decision and ultimately, only what God wants will be done: (“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the purpose of God that will stand”…Proverbs 19 vs 21). Sometimes a good decision may not be God’s will for you at that time, which makes the seemingly good decision a bad decision a bad one. Knowing this will save you a lot of headache.
c) Pay attention to the signs that follow: for example, do you have peace afterwards or severe conflict and anxiety. If the decision aligns with God’s word, and you feel calm and peace, then you are probably on the right track. If you feel anxiety or conflict, perhaps you are not on the right track or you need to readjust or reconsider a few things within your decision. Either way, pray for wisdom and clarity in that moment, and I promise you, you will know. Once you know, don’t force it, or waste time trying to turn the answer you have to the answer you want.
d) Once you have met the criteria a-c above, have faith that God will use that decision for your good. Don’t worry if the outcome of the decision will be what you like or not, because “And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose”… Romans 8 vs 28.
Reading this portion made me reflect on the many tiny and major decisions I have made over the years. I realized that following these steps have given me confidence to make decisions and boldly face the outcomes of said decisions. Some of the decisions didn’t have the outcomes I was expecting, but it was always for my ultimate good. It may have made me sad in the moment, but in the long run, it always exceeded my expectations. I wish the same for you, and I know that these steps will work for you too. It is how I make all the strategic moves you see and love!
Oh, and remember, not making a decision, is a decision. So, decide wisely.
3) Resist the urge to know the exact timing of any or everything: in Acts 1 verse 6, the disciples were asking the resurrected Jesus a question and they had wanted to be given a specific answer. Jesus replied to them: “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the father has fixed by his own authority” ( Acts 1 vs 7). Jesus goes on to explain to the disciples that although they wouldn’t know specifics, they will receive the Holy Spirit and will be empowered to tell the everyone all over the world about Jesus (verse 8). So share your testimony with others, don’t be ashamed or afraid because you do not know specific reasons or details of things.
On the same hand, don’t be caught up with trying to figure out exactly when a promise God made to you or to the world in general will come true. Make peace with the fact that we will not ever know this, and please don’t ever indulge in fortune telling. Ignore anyone who tells you that they know for certain when any event will happen or how your life will turn out!
4 ) Finally, Jesus is alive and will return: Acts 1 verse 10-11. It means exactly what it says, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Let the knowledge in this passage guide your actions and the way you choose to live your life.
