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After he [Jesus] said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

I’ve decided to start taking golf seriously, so I won’t frustrate and embarrass those who occasionally invite me along. One thing that people keep stressing about is keeping my eye on the ball until after I connect with it. Of course, you need to first eye your target, study it, and think about how you are going to reach it. But after that, it’s time to concentrate on properly hitting the ball.

Is that what the angels were talking about after Jesus ascended into heaven? The disciples were just standing there looking up at the sky when Jesus rose up into the clouds and disappeared from their sight. The angels didn’t want them to forget that sight! That was their target—it gave them aim. It would give them hope, strength, and joy despite the troubles around them. Jesus, who had convincingly shown people he had come alive after the cruel, soul-redeeming death on the cross, was now taking his powerful position of authority over the world. And at the right time, Jesus would return to this pain-inflicted world with tremendous fanfare and bring his people to the mansions of heaven.

Those facts give us our purpose and aim in every aspect of life. Keep those continually in your mind. But now it is time to focus your eye on the ball. In other words, focus on the job Jesus has given us to do. Focus on telling those who don’t know all about him. Jesus told the disciples, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Let this be your focus.

I think my game is coming around. I hope the same can be true in your life.

Lord Jesus, even as I look forward to being in heaven with you, keep my eyes on the great and noble mission you’ve given your people while we are still here on earth. Amen.

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.