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July 12 Daily Devotional

Have a Good Cry When Saying Goodbye

Peter G. Feenstra

Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. Acts 20:37–38

Bible Reading

Acts 20:32–38

Devotional

On our Christian journey through life there are times that we eagerly anticipate meeting a friend or relative, and there are times that we need to say goodbye. There comes a time when we are called upon to cut the physical connection with our loved ones.

Each farewell has its own character. Sometimes parting ways can be intensely painful. When two friends, a husband and wife, a pastor and his congregation have been bound together for a long time, the embrace and kiss of separation knows its own sorrow. Those who are widowed feel that they have lost part of themselves. They often describe their loss as similar to losing a limb or as going through the rest of their life crippled. A family that moves into a new area may feel very lost, like they do not belong anywhere. When friends need to move away from each other they may promise to keep regular contact but know that the likelihood of that happening is very slim.

The Bible does not pass off goodbyes as if they are of little significance. In fact, we are told the opposite. Acts 20:32-38 describes a very moving scene of farewell. Paul was loved immensely by the congregation at Ephesus and as the elders see him off they know they will not meet with him again. Luke, the writer of Acts, captures the emotion when he writes “They all wept freely.” Literally, they cried themselves out. The elders and the apostle had a good cry. They watered the occasion with their tears!

As Paul says goodbye to the elders and the church at Ephesus, not only do we read of weeping, and embracing, but also of prayer. For here too, like in everything else, life needs to be kept in the perspective of God’s work in Jesus Christ. Even in the emotion of a moment—be that joyous or sad—we are to keep our focus on the Lord Jesus and trust in His leading, government and protection.

Paul boarded the ship. Sometime later he ended up in prison. From there he wrote a beautiful letter to the Ephesians, telling them how he continued to pray for them. Goodbyes are never easy, but for those who are united in faith, they are never final. We can say goodbye in the assurance that we will meet in the future. We will come together in our Father’s house. And so, God be with you until we meet again.

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