Leaving.
It encompasses such hard attributes, this word, leaving.
Yet in just a moment, we can see that in the absence of what was, we invite what will be; and in the what will be, hope arises.
The chance that maybe you'll be forced to stand, letting go of the comfortable confines of the past.
In this life we all struggle with the notion of a goodbye, especially when we aren't prepared for the distance to settle into place. However, somewhere in that distance life is found, for life was never meant to stand still.
After all, it isn't a badbye. We should take this word and hold tight to the Good that we find within it, knowing that upon letting go we are actually letting in.
Yet in just a moment, we can see that in the absence of what was, we invite what will be; and in the what will be, hope arises.
The chance that maybe you'll be forced to stand, letting go of the comfortable confines of the past.
In this life we all struggle with the notion of a goodbye, especially when we aren't prepared for the distance to settle into place. However, somewhere in that distance life is found, for life was never meant to stand still.
After all, it isn't a badbye. We should take this word and hold tight to the Good that we find within it, knowing that upon letting go we are actually letting in.
The paradox of knowing that to save our life,
we must actually lose it.
I am reminded:
As the disciples argued and fussed about Jesus leaving, He tells them this:
"It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but If I go, I will send him to you. ..I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of the joy that her child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. "
we must actually lose it.
I am reminded:
As the disciples argued and fussed about Jesus leaving, He tells them this:
"It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but If I go, I will send him to you. ..I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of the joy that her child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. "
It is by faith that the disciples must believe the words that Jesus is telling them.
Not only for their good, but for their j o y.
They want to hold on to this man, they want to touch Him and know for certain He is right there with them. Flesh to Flesh.
(As doubt settles,
Oh God, help our unbelief)
Yet, He says ...
"I must go" and that it better that He does.
And just think:
What if He didn't go?
Would we have the promised Holy Spirit?
The One who can be with us
across any stretch of land, sea, or sky?
The Holy Spirit to give all believers the power of God within them as they call on His name?
Jesus was the Word made flesh, the Saviour who took our place and our penalty;
but my friends,
He had to go.
(And I thank God, that He did)
