As a coaching family, our faith is often tested when we are trying to decide to go or stay, take a new job or stay at the current one, move again to a new school or keep the kids where they are. Our faith can be stretched in the waiting, but we can learn from Peter and the disciples that while we are waiting, rest assured that God is working.
WARM-UP
Discuss with your spouse a time when change in this profession tested your faith.
What is the hardest part about trusting God in the waiting?
WORKOUT
After the resurrection, Jesus spent forty days on Earth walking, talking and teaching different people, including the disciples, but it was time for Jesus to make His final ascent to Heaven. We can only imagine the questions the disciples had and the anxiety of the unknown that awaited them.
Jesus’s words were both challenging and encouraging to them and us: “Don’t leave. Just wait for the Father’s promise.” That is faith. When we don’t know what God is doing, we can have faith because of what He has done. If we don’t know what to do next, we can have faith that God is with us now. If we are faced with unknown circumstances, we can have faith in a known God.
Jesus promised He wasn’t leaving them but sending them the Holy Spirit, a new power.
God will not tell us everything but He expects us to trust Him with all things. The disciples walked with Jesus, talked with Jesus and had a front-row seat to the miracles of Jesus including His own resurrection. But now Jesus was about to RENEW their relationship with God. This new walk with the Lord was going to be one of walking by faith, not by sight.
We may not know where God wants to move us or what job we will have next year, but we know God is faithful. We know God sent the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us. We know God hears our prayers. We know God keeps His promises. We know these because we know God.
WRAP-UP
What is one thing where the Lord got personal with you in this workout?
How are you encouraged from this story that we can trust an unknown future to a known and present God?
How does this story renew your faith in the Lord?