But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. (1 Thessalonians 4:13) 

 

My granddaughter Allyssa and I have a regular routine we go through when we say goodbye. We wrap our arms around each other and begin to loudly wail with dramatic sobs for about twenty seconds. Then we step back and casually say, “See ya,” and turn away. Despite our silly practice, we always expect that we will see each other again—soon. 

 

But sometimes the pain of separation from those we care about can be difficult. When the apostle Paul said farewell to the elders from Ephesus, “They all wept as they embraced him . . . . What grieved them most was [Paul’s] statement that they would never see his face again” (Acts 20:37–38). 

 

The deepest sorrow, however, comes when we are parted by death and say goodbye for the last time in this life. That separation seems unthinkable. We mourn. We weep. How can we face the heartbreak of never again embracing the ones we have loved? 

 

Still . . . we do not grieve like those who have no hope. Paul writes of a future reunion for those who “believe that Jesus died and rose again” (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18). He declares: “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. What a reunion! 

 

And—best of all—we will be forever with Jesus. That’s an eternal hope. 

 

Thank You, Lord, for the assurance that this world is not all we have but that a blessed eternity awaits all who trust in You. Amen. 

 

When I read this devotion I was reminded of my grandmother who went on to be with The Lord this past August and it quickly brought tears to my eyes but as I continued reading I was reminded of the hope I have in God and despite the sadness and void that comes with the loss of someone as wonderful as she was, at death, God’s people don’t say “goodbye,” but “we’ll see you later.” Im looking forward to that day when 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. What hope and peace! 

 

Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord! 

 

Today’s Reading is Ephesians 4:2