Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. -James 5:11 (NKJV)
Seeing off a fellow believer to their next station–maybe college, moving, a new job, or retirement–is tough for everyone involved. Nonbelievers simply miss the departing person themselves, but believers will also miss the godly fellowship that will no longer be possible.
But take heart. God wants His children to move from station to station while we are instruments for His plans. And, just like threads in a tapestry, He can move threads apart and later intersect them again.
We are in this world, but not if it, so hanging on too tightly to anything or anyone can be very painful. God, however, shows us that goodbye isn’t always final…sometimes it’s just goodbye for now, till we meet again in this life.
Through our journeys, God grows us, even through separation from attachments. Just like muscles we train by basically tearing and building stronger than before, so does He strengthen us more than we were before. And this wait He strengthens us for is just preparation for our ultimate homecoming.
So as today’s soundtrack says, just remember that your dreams are a promise, and that this farewell today is not goodbye.
Today’s soundtrack
Sidewalk Prophets’ “This Is Not Goodbye” is a beautiful sendoff and reminder to loved ones that we will meet again.
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