After - Day 33

Peter had taken the role that was prepared for him, as leader of the small group of witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus. He was trying to get things organized in those moments after Jesus had left. One of the tasks was to study scripture in order to know what to do next. He believed that it was to fill the gap left by Judas and his betrayal of Jesus. Therefore, as he searched scripture, particularly the Psalms, he saw what was to happen next.

As he went about the tasks given to him, there did not seem to be anyone who was pushing back on his leadership. Obviously, this will happen later through Paul, but at this point, they were all of one mind.
 
There is an interesting thing to consider through this story. While the disciples were voting and putting someone into place to fill Judas’ gap, the Holy Spirit was also at work discovering a powerful preacher, teacher, and writer in Saul, who would eventually be called the Apostle Paul. I have always wondered if Paul was the rightful replacement for Judas, but the disciples did not wait for the Holy Spirit, rather they pushed ahead in order to fill the role they thought they were supposed to fill. I don’t think this was done for any nefarious reason, rather, I believe that they were searching for what their next moves were.

We often do this, we move ahead of the Holy Spirit in our lives due to the fact that we like to be in control. I get that, I’ve done it many times. To wait on where the Spirit is going to move is not only difficult, but it is pretty confusing at times. Regardless of our moves, the Holy Spirit will work to get the will of God done in our lives, in our communities, and in our congregations.
 

1. Was there ever a time when you should have waited for the Holy Spirit to move, but you went ahead? 
2. How did that work out? 
3. Did you have to turn around? 
4. What was the final outcome?