I hate airports, it makes me sad saying goodbye. The pain of separation over the years has caused me to become hard on the inside. I have so many friends and in a year l have done at least 6 -7 trips to the airport picking up and dropping people off then having to say goodbye.
The Bible is full of goodbyes and separations.
Abraham was asked to leave his fathers house and follow God. Jacob had to run away from home. Joseph was separated from his father because of the jealousy of his brothers every book in the Bible refers to some kind of separation. Ruth was separated from home and eventually the death of her husband, children and then from one of her daughters in law. The list goes on and on. We all know what it’s like to either lose someone or say bye to someone. Children feel separation on their first day of school when they have to say bye to their mothers. Mothers have anxiety leaving their child in the hands of a teacher, However separation and saying bye is part and parcel of life.
I want to talk about a particular type of separation.
I have discovered in life particular people will leave you. When they do you just have to let them go. Don’t force them into staying. Do you know why? Because your destiny is not often part of those who walk away.
1 John 2:19 – They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.
That scripture could not have been more clearer. We must learn to let go. When people don’t belong in your life anymore not even concrete can cement them to you.
Ruth’s daughter in law Orph leaving Ruth didn’t make her disrespect her it just meant Orpha’s part in the Ruth’s life was over.
Look at another story in the Bible. God had rejected Saul but Samuel still clung on to him mourning for him. God had to firmly speak to Samuel to move forward because God had other plans.
1 Samuel 16:1 – Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons.”
Try and understand when something’s over. A relationship, a friendship, a business connection etc. Saying goodbye is very Biblical.
What l have learned is that God has got something better in store for me.
There was a young guy l poured my life into like a son spiritually mentoring him. I dreamed he would one day lead Enforcers of the Call, however he decided to leave us and like Samuel l mourned this separation trying to get him to come back. I called him, l texted him, l emailed him and l met with him and we spoke. Nothing l did caused him to come back. When l realised what 1 John 2:19 said was so true. I moved on, l quit mourning, God has brought some incredible people into our team and those who have stood loyal and faithful to the end l have deeply appreciated. God does have something better for us when there is separation.
When Jesus was separated from the Union of the Trinity it was hard, God the Father looked away Jesus couldn’t bear it but you and l have benefited. There will always be a benefit from every separation and goodbye that you and l have to face.
So look at the separations you face with a positive attitude. Romans 8:28 says ALL THINGS work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes. Even a separation can turn out for our good.
