Saying Hello – Saying Goodbye – From the Edges Devotional

 Following Jesus – From the Edges

Saying Goodbye – Saying Hello

 Pastor Calvin Cook – September 19, 2024

Scripture focus – 1 Thessalonians 5:23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The last several days have been an emotional roller coaster as I have had to say goodbye and hello and knowing the difference to switch in between.

Yesterday I said an earthly good bye to my friend and brother in Christ Larry Curtis as we celebrated his life and earthly pilgrimage to eternity. Today as I write this I am at the Orlando Airport in route for the convening conference of the Global Methodist Church in San Jose Costa Rica.  It will be a time of joyous celebration of the birth of a new expression of Methodism and feeling the empowerment to share Jesus with the world. I am looking forward to the new friends from around the world that I will meet.

I am resting on the promise of what Jesus is doing and will do in the days, weeks, and years ahead because of faithfulness and being willing to stand firmly and boldly in the gap in the name of Jesus.

I guess that I have come to realize that with every ending there is a new beginning. Though my friend Larry’s life ended here on earth, his soul continues to live in eternity in the light and presence of God. But I am also reminded of the seed that needs to be planted. Not a seed of destruction or division – but a seed of hope. The hymn  “The Hymn of Promise” reminds us that in every seed there is an apple tree.” So I venture into the new with expectancy of what God will take of our offerings and bring change so that the “world will know” who Jesus is.

My friends, say good bye to the things that are oppressing and controlling your life. Break free of the prison that has been built around that keeps you from experiencing the glorious hope of bringing the reign of God to earth. It is all a choice, but a necessary choice to experience all that God wants to do in your life in this day and the days ahead.