Not that they asked me, but I recently recommended that my theology school's mascot should be the Already/Not Yetis. It's a funny reminder of the in-between that we live in.
In Acts 2, the disciples were living in an in-between moment. They had already seen the empty tomb and watched as Jesus appeared in the room they had locked out of fear. And they had also received a promise from Jesus: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.”
So, they waited. But I don't imagine they waited in despair. They were waiting in expectation.
The disciples were about to understand that not even resurrection was the end of the story. The risen Christ had changed everything, but Pentecost was about to change them. Whereas resurrection gave them hope, what happened at Pentecost emboldened them.
All Christians should be familiar with the idea of living between the promise of God and its fulfillment--what we call the already, not yet. Christ ushered in God’s kingdom for us, but it is not yet fulfilled.
In that moment, I wonder how many of us still wrestle with fear, uncertainty, or exhaustion. We believe in resurrection, but we’re still waiting for a fresh sense of courage and fire.
Sometimes, we think waiting means that nothing is happening. But in Acts 2, waiting was their faithful preparation. There was a God-sized mission the Lord was preparing them for. When the fire showed up, they realized the upper room wasn't wasted time. Just like when the fire showed up in the burning bush, it was holy ground.
And maybe you feel that already, not yet tension. You know Christ is alive, but you are still waiting for the Spirit to strengthen your nagging fear. Well, don't rush what God is preparing you for. Let the resurrection settle into your soul and wait for Pentecost to push you into its purpose.
Stay blessed...john
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