Devotional for 11/22/15
Everyone has "farewells" in their lives - whether it be to someone who has passed away, or a loss of something such as their health, sometimes their friendships, or even their jobs. It is always hard when my husband, a pastor, leaves a congregation to move on, or this month as he retires. It is tough for me as his wife, just as it is for many members of the church we are leaving. Bonds that were formed over the years may be lost. I am told my flute music will be greatly missed. The teaching of Bible classes by my husband will stop. I will no longer be singing solos or helping the alto section of the choir shine. My notes in the chimes choir will have to be picked up by someone else. Areas where I participated will continue without me, and other people will step in to fill the void. While it will never be exactly the same, it can still be to God's glory.
That brings me to a concern I always have when I leave a church. I always love doing certain things in a congregation - being an additional greeter and resource person before the service; standing beside my husband as people leave and shake hands so that I can take down messages people invariably want him to remember while in the receiving line; participating in Bible Study classes and adding to the happy banter; contributing to the music programs; also in the past teaching Sunday School, playing the guitar, helping with Vacation Bible School, serving on the school board and other committees or boards, etc, etc. But what happens when the next pastor's wife arrives?
Hopefully no one will expect every pastor's wife to want to be heavily involved in the things I loved, just like I certainly did not do the things that prior pastor's wives have done. I always want to be treated as an individual, as just another member of the congregation who loves the Lord. Surely the next pastor's wife (if he has one) will want the same. Just as all people in the congregation have different talents and gifts, pastor's wives are also unique individuals. Accept them and support them as a fellow member of the church, without expectations.
Life is full of goodbyes - sometimes to people, or to situations, or abilities, etc. Remember that "goodbye" is actually a shortened form of "God be with you" and hence is a blessing to the other person, just as "farewell" expresses a desire that the other person "fare well" in life. And whenever there is a goodbye, there is a new hello on the horizon, a new adventure to glorify God. It is all a part of the cycle of life, and a reminder of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Though he departed from his people here on earth when he took the punishment for our sins on the cross, there is the blessed promise of eternal life with him in heaven as we remain faithful. And God has promised he will never leave us! He is with us every step of the way.
Hebrews 13:5 (NIV) ... because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
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 farewells and work them for our good in the end. Forgive us when we are in the midst of our goodbyes 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
Enlightening
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