Devotionals Detail

Reading: Acts 1:1-11

The candles on the altar table were tall…really tall. They had been especially made to match the wood and architectural design of the sanctuary. They were dark walnut, in a mid century modern design, and even I had to reach to light them each Sunday of worship. But then, there were the children who started coming to worship. This aging congregation had been praying for young families to start coming to church, and they finally did. Their children wanted to be acolytes. But the children couldn’t reach the candles. So I changed the candlesticks to be smaller. What broke loose after that candlestick change…shouldn’t be named aloud in a devotional. I had no idea candlesticks could cause so much chaos. Until I realized that the candlesticks were not the issue: it was nostalgia that was the concern.

Nostalgia is powerful, because it keeps us in the comfort of not having to change. Many of us believe we can embrace change, but then the power of nostalgia holds us back to the point where change is resisted. Most of the time this is a reflex, a subconscious mindset. Whether the initial response of: “we’ve never done it that way,” or “our tradition is….” From my experiences in the church, nostalgia is one of the most powerful forces holding us back from being effective witnesses for Jesus’ resurrected life. It impacts our world view as well. When we long for the good old days, in a simpler time or a way of life, or want to bring back the traditions we grew up with to the present day, we are longing for nostalgia.

In our passage of Scripture this week, often known as the ascension of Jesus, the disciples ask Jesus: “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” Their question is one of nostalgia – longing for the days where Israel was “restored” to the days of King David. They wish for the time where Israel was powerful from the collective historical memory. And Jesus says: “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the father has set by his own authority.” In other words, they are not to anticipate Israel’s restoration is happening in the way they imagine – as some golden age of the past. It likely won’t mean a resurrection of the glory days, or that the past will become the future. Jesus is telling them this, because nostalgia will not transform them into the witnesses they need to become.

Nostalgia impacts us all, but perhaps, like the disciples, we need to be reminded of its power in our lives. Instead of longing for the past, let us listen for who Jesus needs us to be for the future. Instead of wanting to resurrect the good old days, lets allow Jesus’ resurrection to lead us. Instead of hoping for what we know to happen again, let’s witness to our trust in Jesus’ new beginning.