Relocation

I stopped by the home of some friends the other day.  There were boxes everywhere and they were busily scurrying about the house, carefully packing their personal belongings into the boxes for loading on the moving van that would soon be backing up to their garage door.

I and they were torn due to the dichotomy of emotions that boiled up within us.  We were excited for their new home and the opportunities to be closer to loved ones, yet we all grieved the loss of relationship that was bound to happen between us. 

It’s always hard to watch someone you care about pack up and relocate to another town where you won’t see them very often.  After all, we become attached to people and want them to be near us forever.  We don’t want to have to say goodbye to those that we care about.

Even if we never leave our home community where we grew up, we still have to watch others come and go, taking a piece of our heart with them when they leave. 

The upshot of the whole deal for those who believe in Christ is that we know that our goodbye is not forever.  We know that hidden in that farewell is the hope of seeing them again in heaven.  We trust that through Christ we will have life everlasting and we will have an eternity to spend together with old friends and new as well.

King David said it best in Psalm 39:7; “And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.” 

And so it is…our hope is in the God of heaven to set all things right one day.  Although there are times that we have to say goodbye to our Christian friends here on earth, we know that we will be together again.  That day will truly be a joyful reunion as we praise God without ceasing for His mercy and grace.  I pray that you are there with me to share life that never ends together with the Lord of Hosts, as we sing praises for all the wonderful things that He has done.