Seek. Love. Serve.

How many times have you had a great idea that you just had to put into motion?

The idea was so good. It was innovative. It was new. It was fresh. It was so perfect that it had to be of God. So you just had to launch it. Right then. Right there.

Then it failed.

Why?

In the Book of Acts, we are treated to an eyewitness account of how the apostles — men like Peter, John, and later, Paul — set about the world-changing task of building the Church. Like the title indicates, the book is full of action.

That’s why I find it interesting that the first commandment in the book of Acts is to … wait.

In Acts 1, prior to his ascension into Heaven, Jesus is sharing a meal with his apostles. During the meal (Acts 1:4-5,8) he says:

“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. … [Y]ou will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The commandment to “be my witnesses” is so important that it still drives us today to share the love of Christ throughout the world. It’s the commandment that propels our church marketing and church outreach efforts.

One would tend to believe that the apostles — the men who lived and worked with Christ during his entire earthly ministry — would have the know-how and the strength to fulfill this command.

But Jesus knew better. And the apostles did the right thing. They waited.

And on the day they were filled with the Holy Spirit, more than 3,000 people were saved — putting into motion a revolution that hasn’t stopped for more than two thousand years.

These holy men, these saints who built the Church, could not have done anything without the strength, wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

So I ask: What makes us think we can?

The next time God gives us a vision for church growth or a great idea for church outreach, let’s take a moment to thank him. Then we need to humbly ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and strength.