Have you ever had something go differently than you expected? Maybe it was a conversation that turned south. Maybe it was your favorite sports team that was upset in the championship. Maybe it was an unexpected cancer diagnosis, or the unexpected loss of a loved one. There are things that happen in this life that go differently than we anticipated. There are things that catch us off guard and surprise us. And many times we don’t know how to respond to those things.
In Acts 1:6 the disciples asked Jesus, “Lord, is it at this time you will restore the Kingdom to Jerusalem?” (Acts 1:6). The disciples had an expectation that the Messiah would come in, build his armies, wipe out the Romans, and bring Jerusalem back to a powerful Kingdom. But to their surprise, Jesus said, “My Kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). Jesus was nothing like what they expected, and even after his death and resurrection they were still asking if it was time to restore the Kingdom to Jerusalem (Acts 1:6).
The way Jesus responded to them in Acts 1:7-8 must have been a shock to them. “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Jesus’ answer to their question about restoring the Kingdom was answered by a quick, “You need to focus on what God has planned for you, and quit worrying about things only God can control.”
When things don’t go our way it can be very easy to ask God, “Why is this happening?” or “Why haven’t you fixed this?” or “Why are you letting this happen to me?” And many times Jesus is going to answer us the same way He did his disciples: “Don’t worry about God’s things. Worry about your things.” When we’re faced with unexpected situations, and we don’t know how to respond, remember Jesus’ answer to these disciples. Don’t worry about the things that only God can control. Don’t focus on the things you can’t get answers to. And focus on the things within your control. Focus on the things God has laid on you to do.
- Kolton Ballance