Goodbyes

Goodbyes can be difficult for me. They remind me of the one thing I’m not really fond of, separation. I can handle short-term separation; a night, a few days but any longer than that and I’m feeling it. Something is missing.

When my dad closed his eyes for the last time, I said, “goodbye.” That has been nearly two decades ago, but I still miss him. I held my mom’s hand and said, “Goodbye” to her as they took her from the emergency room for a medical procedure. Within minutes, I heard the call “code blue” and I knew my mom was gone.

Separation is part of the curse brought about by Adam’s sin. A man and a woman living in a garden, were separated from their Creator because of sin.

Sin has had a profound impact on mankind. The ripple effect of sin is felt in broken marriage vows, splintered families and broken lives.

But God had a plan. It was a costly plan. God’s son, Jesus, lived a sinless life which permitted Him perfect relationship with God. However, when Christ willingly took our sins upon Himself, it forced God to “separate” from his beloved Son.

Why would Jesus do this? He knew the consequences of His actions yet, He separated from God so that all mankind could return to God. Jesus became forsaken by God so we could be connected with God. He became broken and we became whole.

The writer of Hebrews wrote, “…For He hath said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5)

John the Apostle reminds us in the book of Revelation that there will one day be no more separation. No more Goodbyes.

“I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, "Look, God's home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them." (Revelation 21:3)

My journey through this life is not over, and I know there are still many more "goodbyes" ahead of me. But there’s one “goodbye” and one separation that I will never have to face. Not now, not ever because God is with me always.