And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

~Acts 1:9-11

Little Suzie kept looking up, asking her mommy if that was her daddy’s plane.

 

Mommy said, “No, Suzie, just keep looking up at the clouds. It had been two weeks since Suzie’s daddy went on a business trip. She was sad that day as she watched his plane disappear into the clouds. Suzie missed her daddy’s smile and how he would make her laugh at his silly Dad jokes. But the thing she missed most was how she felt safe and secure in his presence.

Child and Father

 

I never had the opportunity to pick up my dad and mom at the airport. However, they picked me up several times while I was in the United States Air Force, and I am sure if my dad had the chance, he would have looked at the clouds, waiting for my plane to appear. There is a special bond between a child and their father that makes the world a safer and more secure place.

Up, Up, and Away

 

Can you imagine being with Jesus on Ascension Day? He had been crucified and buried, but He had risen from the dead and walked with the disciples for forty days, speaking about the Kingdom of God. Suddenly, without warning, He rose into the clouds. Had I been there, my jaw would have hit the ground. Then two men, standing in white robes, asked the disciples why they gazed into heaven. This same Jesus would one day return in the same way.

Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

~Matthew 24:30 ESV

Keep Looking Up

 

Life can get tough, and things can happen that cause pain, disappointment, and heartache. Therefore, it is easy to stop looking up when we feel the pressure of this world on our shoulders. However, it is through our weaknesses that we grow stronger in Christ. Whatever we face today, we can look up since our Redeemer will take us to the Promised Land where we will be safe and secure forever. 

What circumstances cause you not to look up?

 

Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your promise to return one day. I pray that I will always look into the clouds, no matter what comes my way. Amen

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2023: Looking Up: Ed Chappelle: All Rights Reserved