I remember as a child thinking that following Christ would have been so much easier if I had been alive when he walked the earth. There would be no need for faith—I would see him in the flesh. I wouldn’t need to struggle with the big questions of life—I could just ask him and get a direct verbal answer.

Easy Christianity, though, is not good for our souls. It is through the challenges and questions of life that God gives us opportunities to grow. God wants us directly involved in building His kingdom, not to be passive bystanders.

So in His ascension, Jesus instructs us not to just stand there. He will give us the Holy Spirit, and we are to go and do the works of God in the world. And God will work miracles through us.

So while there is a part of me that would still like to have met Jesus while He walked the earth, I know that I serve the ascended Jesus better, and await seeing Him one day in His full glory.

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