“Yes”
“No”
“Not Yet”
All of those are answers, although “yes” is normally the only one we want to hear.
But “no” and “not yet” are answers, too.
They are not the same answer, however.
“Not yet” is “yes” but not now.
“Not yet” sounds, feels and looks like “no,” but it is not “no;” it is “yes” but “not yet.”
In order to hear “not yet” as “yes” we must trust the one we are asking.
We must believe that the one we have asked truly has our best intention in mind.
We must trust the heart of the one who says “not yet” really means “yes” but “not yet.”
We must trust the “yes” which lies in the future will be better than “yes” now.
We must believe the delay of today will be drowned in the delight of the days ahead.
After the resurrection the disciples were full of anticipation.
They looked at the resurrection and saw a massive “YES!”
In the disciples’ mind, the resurrection meant “YES!” to the restoration of all things.
The Kingdom would now begin here in Jerusalem and engulf the earth.
So they asked the question, “Will you at this time restore the Kingdom to Israel?”
Jesus answered, “Not yet.”
How are we to live in the world of “yes” but “not yet?”
We will open our Bibles to Acts 1 and begin to explore how to take courage announcing the King and Kingdom in a world full of Yes, No and Not Yet.
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