ascension, peace, remember

"After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight."  (Acts 1:9)

So many thing happening in one week it is hard to keep up with.  Storms, fires, food shortages, the fighting in the Ukraine and then the school shooting.  Individually these things are overwhelming, especially when the storm/fire/shortage is affecting you personally. (Yes, the tree is off my house and the roof will be repaired.)  And in the midst of everything comes Ascension Day - a time when we celebrate Jesus ascending into heaven.  How?  Why?

In John 14 Jesus is telling us (and his Disciples) about a gift he is giving "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives."  (John 14:27a)  Knowing how things can change, here in the world, it is a special blessing to know God's peace is given "not as the world gives."  We don't understand what is happening, we definitely do not like what is happening, we question what is happening BUT we can feel the "peace of God, which transcends all understanding."  (Philippians 4:7)  God KEEPS God's promises.  Christ IS RISEN! (He IS risen, indeed!) And this week we celebrate Jesus' ascension to be  "seated at his right hand." (Ephesians 1:20)  Emmanuel -- GOD IS WITH US.

These are important things to remember as we are going through the things happening all around us but also as we remember this special National Holiday.  This is more than a "3 day weekend."  This is a time to remember that while "all gave some, some gave all."  It is an important time to remember not just the "peace that transcends all understanding," Emmanuel -- God with us, but also the reason for the long weekend.  Let us celebrate God's love together but let us also remember.......