Waiting is often difficult, especially if we think we know what to do or when to do it.  The disciples were excited and relieved that Jesus was alive again; surely, He would now overthrow His enemies and become the King of Israel.  They had small ambitions, to be senior officials in Jesus' government in Jerusalem.  But Jesus knew God's master-plan; it was much bigger, would be achieved very differently and to a different timetable (Matthew 24:4-14).

God had always intended to make the benefits of Jesus' sacrifice for sins available to everybody.  Salvation would no longer be Israel's exclusive privilege (Isaiah 49:6).  Everybody who believed in Jesus would be made children of God (John 1:12) and part of His kingdom – wherever they lived, and irrespective of their tribal or religious background (Revelation 5:9).  But for the message to go to every corner of the world, Jesus would first physically step off the world; and then send His Holy Spirit to live within every believer (John 16:7).  Wherever they went, the life of Jesus would go, and they would announce Jesus as the Saviour of the world.

So, the disciples had to wait for the Holy Spirit.  He came seven weeks after Jesus’ resurrection (Acts 2:1-12).  In the same way that the water of baptism covers and overwhelms the outside of a person - so the Holy Spirit would overwhelm the believers' hearts so that He could live inside them … just as Jesus had lived physically alongside them (John 14:18-19).  People would see that believers represented their Master in their character, and they would share the message of salvation.  After Pentecost, the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit.  They started proclaiming the gospel where they were, and then spread out carrying the message.  God even used persecution to assist that migration (Acts 11:19-21).  Today, there are believers in every country of the world.

Some people are eager to do what they think is God's will, but they have not stopped to ask Him what He wants them to do, or when.  Others are reluctant to do anything new.  We cannot work with the Lord if we go ahead of Him, or lag behind Him.  But He does not keep us waiting in the dark.  He has already given us His written Word, and His Holy Spirit, to lead us into all truth.  Can we not trust Him to guide us and get the timing right?  Is He not more concerned to use us than we are to be used?  Ask to be filled again with the love and power of Jesus (Ephesians 5:15-18) – start where you are, at your home and your work – living out His love and telling out His truth.  Wherever you go, your prime responsibility is to be His ambassador (2 Corinthians 5:20); and you are not alone - He is with you (Matthew 28:20).