My wife loves balloons, so we have them around more often than just birthdays. She has said that at her funeral one day, she would rather have balloons than flowers. I personally love the idea of the added happiness to her celebration of life. I also recently heard a tradition in which people buy a balloon for their loved ones who have passed, and release it on their birthday, sometimes with a loving message. Like me, you at some point have likely watched balloons float away until they could no longer be seen.

I imagine the disciples in Acts 1 watched Jesus ascend in the same way – straining their eyes and saying to each other, “I still see him,” even after he disappeared from view. “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 ‭1‬:‭10‬-‭11‬)‬‬. After the angels’ message, I’m sure many of them, as they walked away, glanced back up to make sure they really couldn’t see Jesus anymore. Emotions were all over the place as they had been on such a roller coaster of events over the past few weeks, months and years.

Nearly 2,000 years later, we are still watching the skies for Jesus imminent return to take us home. There are many different ways Christians respond: some refuse to own physical goods and live in poverty, knowing thy can’t take anything with them; some believe it won’t happen during their lifetime, and try little to advance his kingdom; others join end-of-times groups and watch on “prophesied” dates. However, there are some specific things we should be doing while we wait.

First, we need to stay busy: the disciples went back into town and met together to figure out what to do next while waiting for the promised Holy Spirit. “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.” (Acts 1:8) This means we are not to quit our day jobs and move to a cave by ourselves and sit and wait. God has allowed you to be where you are, right now, for his purpose. You just need to follow his guidance provided by his Word (Psalm 119:105).

Second, we need to follow the commands of Jesus. “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.” (Acts 1:8) We need to be spreading the Good News of Jesus’ salvation both near and far. The Holy Spirit is there to help you know what to say and whom to say it to, you just need to be ready and willing (1 Peter 3:15).

Third, we need to be prepared. As we go about our daily lives, we need to confess our sins (James 5:16), become more like Christ (Romans 12:2), and study the Scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15) as much as possible. This way, we can be the salt and light that Jesus asked us to be while we wait. “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-14,16).

So, while we live our daily lives, let us keep our mind on Jesus, continue living this life, yet be prepared, so his coming doesn’t catch us by surprise (1 Thessalonians 5).

Now go buy some balloons for the frivolous happiness they bring, to most.