:: greatness is a life well-lived ::

goodbyes are not forever

The nature of the event of saying goodbye to someone dear rips and tears against the very fibers of the heart. I don't think we as humans were meant to say goodbye. We were created eternal, created to live in a state of fellowship and togetherness. Something drastic happened that day in the Garden of Eden, when all humanity's hearts were torn, bound to be always fighting for this thing called unity and fighting against separation. And something drastic happens each time I must say goodbye to someone I love. It doesn't matter the kind of the goodbye, really, for they all ache at some level or another. Whether it's saying goodbye to someone who is leaving/has left this earth through death, saying goodbye to a friend who's moving far away, saying goodbye to many because you are the one moving, saying goodbye to someone you hardly know yet somehow love deeply, or simply just saying goodbye for a number of days.

The heart objects to it. Goodbyes are deeply wrong.

But neccessary. There's no way around it.

My dear friend Kristin had her last day at work here at CU Radio today. She and her husband are moving to Florida to do what God has moved them to do. It's awesome that they are going, something from the beginning that has had God's hand clearly leading them to go. But she has been my "survival" (in a way) here at work. Both coming in at the same time, similar ages and stages in life, shared minds for missions and the world, much shared laughter and fun that has helped break up the monotony of day to day life and work. It's been a blast with her here. And she just walked out the door and will be leaving the city in about a week.

And my heart objects.

It's strange being on this side of it. I'm usually the one leaving to go somewhere. I don't like this side of "goodbyes" for there's nothing I can do. My life remains the same, but for the lack of a significant part of it. What I didn't understand before! But it doesn't make it better.

Goodbyes always remind me that this isn't it. For we live in a world torn apart by sin and separation (both with others and with God), and goodbyes are only a temporal thing. That is something that resonates deeply in my heart, presses on that ache that I feel as a stranger in this world.

Goodbyes are not forever! For those who are God's, will be restored to that wholeness we so long for. Earth as it is now is only full of goodbyes; but when God restores His creation, His people, then we shall never farewell again, "For we will be with the Lord forever." What a concept! I don't understand forever, my brain cannot wrap around it without feeling ill and dizzy. But it's an amazing thought that goodbyes will be gone forever!

Until then, we love, we farewell, we ache, we long, and we love some more...

And we wait, yet we should wait with an urgency, because there are many whom I love who, if I were to say goodbye in their death, it would be a goodbye that may be forever. And that thought shakes me deep. So, as much as I long deeply to not have to say anymore goodbyes, I will put up with them for the sake of the Gospel in order that more may be saved.

So Kristin and Joel, all my TCH England friends, those at FFI, family and friends -- people whose hearts resonate with something in mine -- Goodbyes are not forever, only a short time to be apart and grow in faith, love and the knowledge of God. And I look forward to "hello-ing" you on the other side of this life...but until then, the Gospel makes it clear how we are to live - faithful wherever, together or apart.

posted by FaithChristine @ 14:30