Truly there are rare instances in which “parting is such sweet sorrow,” but more times than not, exchanging “goodbyes” is not a happy occasion.  Just the mention of the word evokes bitter grief when it involves family or close friends.  As of this writing, it has been seven days since my son and his family left our home in Maine for the three day journey back to their home in another state.  The emotions that I experienced when they drove away reminded me of my son’s college days and saying goodbye at the airport.  I still remember that heartsick feeling that expressed itself in tears as I returned to my home alone.  The difference in our recent parting was that now each of my five grandchildren has created a hollow spot in my heart that fills with sadness when they step out of my world and back into their norm.

  Wouldn’t it be great if we never had to say “goodbye” again? Believe it or not, the Bible tells us that such a day is coming for those of us who have a faith relationship with God, through His Son, Jesus Christ.  There is going to be a great reunion some day in which the saints of all ages will be resurrected and we who are alive will join them for eternal fellowship, in the presence of the Lord, with no goodbyes.  “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1Thessalonians 4:16-17)”

 While we wait for that glad day, we will continue to walk upon a sin cursed earth where Satan, the enemy of our souls, and all of his cohorts, work tirelessly to accentuate the horrors of the “last goodbye” for those who still grope in darkness.  Dear believer, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:14).”  What a privilege it is to share the good news that there does not have to be a last goodbye!

  What do you believe to be the greatest hindrance to the work of the Lord in our day?  There are many possible answers to this question: parental failure in raising children to know Him,  the influence of sociopolitical activism by those who don’t know or understand the inherent lessons of history, or maybe it is the church’s new bent on pleasing non-believers to fill its pews.  No matter how you answer, somewhere at the root of most of our hindrances to the work of the Lord are the issues of complacency and prosperity.

  Complacency is an “I don’t care” attitude that is common today, and in our culture, seems inseparably linked to prosperity.  Nearly everyone has developed ambitions and goals that literally fill their minds and years with endless busyness, rather than God.  Long ago, life was filled with the necessities of living, such as: raising food, sewing clothes and repairing one’s aged belongings. We needed God!  Today, most everything we “need” falls into the category of consumable/disposable, and we have grown accustomed to having ours “instantly.”  Now, we spend more money and we have a lot more time to follow our dreams, rather than to seek God or learn His ways.

  Please don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting that God requires that we be dirt poor, or sit on a bed of broken glass for hours under sackcloth and ashes, but be sure, our prosperity can and does effect our spiritual appetite and zeal.  This was the context of our Lord’s’ comments in Matthew 19:24 “…It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”   “…the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. (Matthew 13:22)”

  It is obvious that in our cultural fixation on things, people who have much, think they do not need God, while God is the one who “…giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; (Acts 17:25).”  “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:17)”

New dimensions are added to the phrase, “let your imagination run wild,” when we try to imagine God.  If it were not for His creative acts, his Only Begotten Son (Jesus), and His Word (the Bible), there would be no foundation upon which to base our thought of the Almighty.

  First, His creative acts reveal two very important facts about our Heavenly Father.  Consider this verse, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (Romans 1:20)”  This speaks of the eternality of God, who already existed before the creation, at the beginning of time.  Also, His omnipotence (infinite power) is clearly delineated here, as it would require unlimited power to create and sustain this physical universe with all of its intricacies.

  Secondly, the Bible tells us that, “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. (John 1:18)” Jesus, is God in the flesh, equal in power and glory with the Father.  He came to reveal God to man, especially His mercy (not getting what we deserve), His love (purposing our good at His expense), and His grace (getting what we do not deserve).  Jesus, God’s Son, died, was buried, and rose from the dead in order to pay the penalty for your sins.  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)”  You will not know the Father without first acquiring knowledge of His Son.

  Finally, God is revealed in what He has said.  His Word is essential if you would know Him.  In the original languages of the Bible, God is referred to as: Elohim (Creator God), El Shaddai (God Almighty), El Elyon (Most High God), El Olam (Everlasting God), Yahweh (Self Existing One), Adonai (Lord), Theos (God), Kurios (Owner), Despotes (Master), and Father.  There are many other names for God in the scriptures, as well as His many wondrous acts, but perhaps these thoughts can help you begin your quest to know Him.

 There may be exceptions, but as a general rule, we humans like to have a purpose for getting out of bed in the morning.  There are, of course, those whose only purpose in life is to satisfy themselves.  They live to eat, sleep, play, be entertained, achieve their financial goals, etc.  The problem with this self absorption is that it must end when one draws his last breath—All is lost.

  But what if there were something for which we could give our all, and then, enjoy benefits beyond the grave?  The Bible clearly affirms that it is possible:  “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (Matthew 6:19-20)”  But how can one lay up treasure in heaven when he has no access to heaven, at least not yet?

  The answer is tucked away in verses like these: “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (Colossians 1:16)” “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11)”  “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (1Corinthians 10:31)”  These verses, and others like them, remind us that God created mankind for Himself, for His own pleasure, and glory.  God has designed that man’s greatest endeavor, his most noble, most rewarding purpose, is to glorify Him (God) with his life and substance.

  But God will not be outdone.  When you give yourself to Him, He gives Himself to you.  You can have a relationship with God, and a reason to get out of bed, that will reap the praise of God now, and then, His eternal fellowship and reward.  It all begins with a relationship with your heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, who promises, “…He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. (Matthew 10:39)”

  Recently, I got into a discussion about the difference between Equity and Equality.  As it turned out, I had confused the meaning of the two words and needed a little reminder.  Very simply, equality is having the same status, rights and opportunities, while equity, as it is now being defined in our society, is everyone having the same things—exactly the same things.

  Practically speaking, there has been great diversity among us since the beginning of time.  From the creation there have been male and female, rich and poor, intellectual and ignorant, laborers and lazy, overweight and underweight, athletic and clumsy.  Some are employees while others are employers; some are healthy and others sickly.  Differences abound.  Some of our differences are the handiwork of God while others are the results of decisions that we have made (wise and unwise).  In the past, we have celebrated our differences and enjoyed our diversity, but now there are those who would illogically infer that we are, or should be, all the same.  Such nonsense would be laughable if they were not so serious.

  While we are all very different one from the other, we have, for the most part, at least in my lifetime, enjoyed equality in the application of laws, opportunities to excel, etc.  But still there are those who insist that they have been slighted by those of us who have accepted our station in life and press on.  Perhaps you have noticed, as I have, that those who complain the most are those who have contributed the least.

  Even in the spiritual realm there is diversity.  There are the saved and the unsaved, the godly and the godless, the zealous and the complacent, the wise and the unwise, etc.  To assume that we are all the same is equally ludicrous in this realm.  Nevertheless, God has graciously extended the same opportunities to all: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13)”  “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)”