Our readings this week are Acts 1.6-14 and John 17.1-11.

My goodness - there are so many threads we could pull on here: the hope of the restoration of Israel; the Father's command of 'the times and periods' of history; the gift of the Holy Spirit; the call to witness 'to the ends of the earth'; where is it Jesus actually went, if he went up? (or, where is heaven?); the active ministry of angels; the need to keep our eyes on the earth as well as heaven; the promise of the second coming; the role of women in the early church, including, but not limited to, Mary the mother of Jesus.... and that's just the first reading! Don't get me started on trying to chart a route through Jesus' prayer in this section of the gospel.

There is so much going on that sometimes it's hard to know where to begin, or even which questions are the ones deserving of our time (and some, of course, are).  And that's not just with matters of faith, but life as a whole.  There are those who claim we live in a particular slice of time - the information age - in which that's exacerbated even further as we're constantly bombarded with information.  (I recognise the irony in the length of this newsletter!)

I can almost hear the disciples answering the angels' question, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up towards heaven?" with a slightly testy, "Because we just need a minute, okay?  There's a lot to process here."

So instead of diving into the questions (forgive me if that's what you're here for), I want to draw out something presented as an answer.  John 17:3 says this: "And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."

It's one line that just says it as it is - a direct definition.  Eternal life is not understanding theology, not adopting an accurate historic-critical stance, not propounding an acceptable political position, or socio-cultural ideology.  It is this: knowing God.

I'm reminded of a rather wonderful, if slightly unsettling, image of God found not in our tradition, but in the Quran.  There He is described as being closer to us than our own jugular vein.  Our heartbeat, the very life in our veins, is barely perceptible - most of the time drowned out from our senses by everything else we are being and doing; unless we put ourselves strenuously to work for the purpose of raising it, or something has gone catastrophically wrong!  

Is it too much of a stretch to think of God the same way?  A powerful, potent, source of life - but often forgotten or overlooked in the midst of the complicated business of life; though perhaps remembered in moments of strain, or when something goes catastrophically wrong!? 

Or when we make a conscious decision to stop and be quiet for a moment.

It puts me in the mind of Psalm 46:10, which offers us this, "Be still, and know that I am God." Be still.  Not always run around.  Not always question.  Not always answer.  Just.  be.  And in that moment touch the infinity that is God who creates us, holds us, and loves us - and transforms this one tiny, transient moment into eternity.

Amidst the many others, perhaps here is one reason Jesus went away so dramatically - so that his followers would stop running around for a minute, and just stare in awe and wonder up towards the heavens.  Maybe it's worth us, from time to time, doing the same. So, I invite you to stop.  Take a moment to listen for your heartbeat. And now take another to notice the life in which it is held.  Breathe deep, and hold eternity in that breath.