Know Less, Trust More

A Reflection on the First Reading for June 2, 2019:
The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

Acts 1.1-11

In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the Apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

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These are the words that jumped off the page as I read this scripture, “It is not for you to know…”
This statement and others like it have always been very difficult for me to accept. I remember as a child being “tortured” by words such as these, “It’s not your business”, or “This has nothing to do with you so you don’t need to know.” It would peak my curiosity to a painful level when I knew someone was talking about something, ANYTHING, but wouldn’t share it with me.

Over the years I have felt God say these words to me many times. Words like, “It’s none of your business what that street person does with the money you give him. Just give it.”

“It’s not for you to know how I am going to use this gesture of hospitality. Just do it.”

“You don’t need to know the plans I have for your children. Just trust me.”

I have learned that when I embrace these words my trust in God has grown, sometimes just a little, but more often than not, by leaps and bounds. I learn that God is God and I am not. I don’t always need to know the time or the season.

"When I let go of the need to know, I am rewarded."

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When I let go of the need to know, I am rewarded. Rewarded with the peace that only He can give. Peace that comes from knowing that I don’t need to be in control of everything in my life. Peace that comes from knowing that God has a plan for me, and for my family and friends. I’m rewarded with freedom. Freedom from trying to control what happens next.
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“It is not for you to know…” are words of great love from Jesus to us. In these words He is releasing us from the responsibility of trying to make everything right for everybody. He knows what is coming next and we can trust that it will be GOOD because He loves us!
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​Maxine Brown

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