Devotional for 7/26/15
Life is full of goodbyes - to people when they leave or when they die, to jobs when we must make a change to a new one, to homes when we move, to our animals when they pass away, etc. Sometimes there are partial goodbyes. There may be a goodbye to a part of ourselves such as if we lose the function of an arm or a leg. Other goodbyes may be to parts of our history, such as if our childhood innocence is stolen from us through abuse. It can even be that a relationship changes from one of deep closeness to one of more emotional distance. Goodbyes are unavoidable.
Sometimes we try to soften the blow of a goodbye by using different words, like "take care" or "see you later." Goodbye is actually a shortened form of "God be with ye" or "Go with God." That certainly puts a different feeling to it. This makes it into giving a blessing to the person that is parting:
"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you;
He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
Even though goodbyes are inevitable, we don't need to get stuck there. Whenever there is a goodbye, there is a new hello - to new people, new home, new job, new situation, etc. They are reminders of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. They are also catalysts for growth. But we must see the goodbyes as a natural part of life and as a cycle to the new things to come. That does not mean that we do not mourn the losses, but that we can see beyond them and know that eventually the mourning can turn into dancing.
"Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me. You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit. Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning... You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
Lord my God, I will praise you forever."
Psalm 30:2-5, 11-12 (NIV)
Dear Lord, we thank you that you will never leave us nor forsake us. We never have to say goodbye to you, because your love never fails us, and you have promised to be with us until the end of the ages. Help us through all our earthly goodbyes and work them for our good in the end. Forgive us when we are in the midst of our farewells and we forget that your joy will come again to us. May we remain faithful throughout and witness about your gracious mercy and forgiveness to others. In Jesus' name, Amen.
God be with you, Jan Andersen
song: Your Love Never Fails - Jesus Culture
Goodbyes are not always easy, but we need to look at them as a door to new opportunities. The goodbyes that we say which involve life changes and which take us out of the place and relationships of the pre-change are especially difficult. We need to look to the future and embrace the new openings as gateways which lead to higher heights in our lives.
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