“They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” (Acts 1:14)
Now what? The disciples just returned from witnessing Jesus’ ascent into heaven. If I were one of the disciples in that upper room, that’s the question the pops into my head. If you were one of those first disciples, is that the question that pops into your head?
We’re all different and unique. How we approach life varies. As we all have different personalities, what personality are you?
Type A Personality – The Director. You are goal-oriented. You take risks, and function well under stress.
Type B Personality – The Socializer. Relationships are important to you. You are outgoing and also enthusiastic.
Type C – The Thinker. You have great attention to detail. You are logical and prepared.
Type D – The Supporter. You are task oriented. You are stable and steady in your disposition while being cautious.
Among the Eleven, was Simon the Socializer? Was Bartholomew the Thinker? Was James the son of Alphaeus the Supporter? Not too sure, but we have a good idea of who was the Director – Peter. He’s the one who stands up to address the question – “Now what?” That answer being, before we even step out of this upper room, we need to find someone to replace Judas Iscariot.
What personality are you? With this short summary, you may not be all that sure. But, if you have a Thinker in the family – they already have you pegged.
Nevertheless, we are being put to the test in how we dwell together, whether in this pandemic time or not. Supporters get along just to avoid confrontation and resist change. Thinkers vent their criticism to put down and not build up. Socializers are bored and tired that things don’t move along fast enough. Directors anger easily in trying to get their own way.
It’s not the absence of conflict that determines the health of God’s church on earth. It’s the absence of resolving it as Jesus prescribes. If we don’t get into the ring (face to face) to share our hurt, speak our frustration, vent our displeasure – there then is no truth, no honesty, no confession of sin if need be, and then no spoken word of forgiveness. We need to talk it out.
The early church were like you and me – sinners, but of whom were redeemed from their wretchedness through the death and resurrection of their Savior. Only by Jesus’ forgiveness are we given the heart to act and speak with compassion. The only way we can become of “one accord” is when we are spiritually “mindful” of how we have been saved by Jesus.
And, the Holy Spirit works through us to reach out to those who hunger for community. St. Paul wrote to the church in Rome saying, “For I am longing to see you that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you – or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” (Romans 1:11-12)
The Holy Spirit has gifted our unique personality with abilities and talents. We are to encourage and support one another. It is within our community of faith that gifts are discovered and nourished. It is for and through our community of faith that gifts are exercised. And, how many persons within our families, or within our neighborhood, are starving for the sense of community that we enjoy as God’s church on earth?
So, what are we going to do? How can we be God’s answer to broken lives in a broken world?
Pray. Courageously claim God’s promise to be present. Courageously trust His promise to provide. This is the power to act in spite of our fears. Courage is birthed in us when we see God greater than the size of our obstacles. Courage is faith that God will do what He has promised. The supernatural power of the living God lives in all followers of Jesus, to be God’s answer to a broken world of every time. Thanks be to you Lord Jesus. •
— By Pastor Neil Stern
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Leduc AB