What gets you through a bad day?

For me, it’s some set anchor points – lunch or dinner plans with friends, a jiu-jitsu class that evening, a few hours of scheduled alone time (Yes, we introverts do that). When right now is heavy and hard, I look for something good I know is coming up and just try to press on until I get it.

Without a doubt, Acts 7 records a bad day for Stephen. Having just preached a sermon in verses 1 through 53, Stephen was stoned to death in verses 54 through 60. Can we all agree that’s a bad day?  What gets someone through something like that? In verse 56, Stephen says out loud, “Behold, I see God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” What got Stephen through? His Savior was in heaven and that anchor point meant that something good was coming.

This week we’re turning our attention to one of the more overlooked doctrines of the Apostles Creed. Forty days after his resurrection, Jesus Christ ascended to heaven. The death and resurrection get people excited. The ascension? Not so much.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Stephen’s example tells us that we’re missing something if we overlook this truth. It matters that Jesus is in heaven right now. It matters a lot! Our faith wouldn’t be the same if Jesus was hanging out in New Jersey right now. Heaven is where the throne of all thrones is. Heaven is where power and majesty are. And for Jesus to be there says something important. He’s won. He’s accomplished what he promised and, from this place of power, he is positioned to pour out his mercy and grace on this world – and that means you too.

Jesus is in heaven now as the conquering hero. He has defeated sin and death; the outcome is certain. Knowing that can get us through the bad days. However bad they might be – and some of them can be really terrible – they’ll eventually pass away. But the reign of our Savior? That’s here to stay.

Brothers and sisters, press on!