We’re in Walla Walla for a family get-together this weekend. Once a year the Bannisters, Alex’s in-laws, host a reunion of family and friends they call the Blew Crew. We were supposed to come last year, but I ended up in the hospital with a kidney stone. Thankfully, this year is starting out a lot better!
Getting together with family and friends is something we all look forward to. Worshipping together, sharing food, laughter, and games, refreshes our batteries and draws us closer to each other. Family reunions are the best!
Unfortunately, even the best reunions come to an end. At some point we always have to say goodbye. After having so much fun together it’s hard to tear ourselves away and return to the responsibilities and challenges of the “real world”. It would be so nice if the time with those we love would never end.
But there is a day coming, my friends, when goodbye’s will be a thing of the past. Never again will there be tearful farewells or lingering tears. Never again will reunions end, children leave, or loved ones die.
On that day “the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NLT).
“Forever” sounds awfully good doesn’t it? It can be yours, just for the asking. Invite Jesus into your heart today. Accept Him as your Savior right now. Accept His death on the cross as payment for your sins and experience for the first time “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding….” (Philippians 4:7 KJV)
If you will take this simple step today, then for the rest of your life goodbyes will not be so hard, farewells will not be so bitter, death will not seem so final. “So long” will change to “see you later”. Despair will turn to hope and “sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (Isaiah 35:10 KJV).
A better day is on its way! Someday soon goodbyes will be no more. On that day we will leave this old world behind and step together into God’s eternal “hello”. That’s one family reunion which will never end! See you there!