When Jesus ascended to God the Father, he didn't just go away and leave us alone and on our own. We do not have to stumble around without guidance, direction, and spiritual power. Nor does the Lord want us just to wait around until his return. As he ascends heavenward, the angels ask the bystanders why they are gawking up at the sky. Jesus will come again but in God's own time. In the meantime, we are to accept the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and continue the mission of Jesus.

Since his enthronement on high, Jesus has assumed supreme power over all other powers - even the forces of darkness. That should make us pause and think: when we get discouraged because of the negative state of the world, we should remember that evil can only appear to have the upper hand for a short time. In the end it is the Lord who will triumph. But the author of Ephesians also prays for us to be gifted with enlightenment and a full knowledge of God. The Lord does not want us to walk in ignorance and darkness but to be children of the light and to know God directly. Have we prayed for these things? Have we been open to accepting them?