Out of sight

 Luke 24:50-51

The Ascension of Jesus

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven.

40 days since resurrection

40 days since you encountered Mary in the garden

and told her - Do not hold on to me

40 days since you walked the road to Emmaus

and explained the Scriptures to grieving disciples

40 days since you snuck in to a locked room in the  evening 

and breathed peace into that space that was filled with regret

40 days in which you hung out with your friends

often at the beach

practising forgiveness

showing love

continuing to teach

restore 

and commission

Love one another

Feed my sheep

Go into all the world

I can’t help but wonder

if that 40 days

brought any more comprehension

or made letting go any easier

Or, whether, like a second pandemic lockdown

your followers were traumatised all over again

plunged into bewilderment

and despair

that all the “knowing it’s for the best”

still failed to diminish.

It’s hard to play the long game

when spirits are already worn out

tired of riding the roller coaster

of hope and disappointment 

It’s easier to dally on the beach

to stick with what we know

than follow you where you call

trusting that we will be enough

that you will be enough

for whatever comes next.