Reunited
I snuck quietly behind Roy so that Joshua would see him first as he walked into the yard of the childcare centre.
At first, he stared, blinked, then as recognition and reality set in he ran to him, crying, “Daddy!” He clung to Roy like a koala for the rest of the day.
It had been two weeks since Roy had been home and the boys had missed him very much.
I like reunions because people get to express how much they care for each other; feelings of joy, relief, and tenderness exude from the face and body as people greet each other after separation.
Of course, reunions are only as good as the relationships represented.
I’ve had awkward reunions where I’m excited to see someone and go for the hug with big smiles only to be greeted by folded arms and a stoic face.
Clearly the other person did not think as well of me as I of them.
One person’s love and enthusiasm is not enough to make a happy reunion.
So Jesus says that when He comes again, some people will be thrilled while others dismayed. Some will rush to meet Him while others will run to avoid Him.
So how do we ensure a happy reunion with Jesus?
The 1st century missionary Paul wrote to the new Christians in Rome,
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death… For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children” (Romans 8:1-2,14-16 NLT).
If we accept God’s adoption now and build that intimate relationship with Him, then when He comes again we will run to Him with open arms.
He will not be a Theological Idea or a Philosophical Theory or a Distant Being but our daddy, here to heal our wounds, dry our tears, and take us home.
And how sweet a reunion that will be.
A song that comes to mind as I imagine that day is by Ginny Owens, who has been blind since the age of 3. She sings:
I don’t know the ocean’s crystal blue,
and I don’t climb the mountains for the view.
Or wish upon the stars above my head,
or bear witness to a marvelous sunset
But the very thought of things I’ve never seen,
Is all it takes to bring me to my knees.
Oh what a wonderful wonder,
A display of great beauty and power
Oh what a wonderful wonder
You are to me
I wish that I could see life through your eyes.
To gaze upon the canvas from your side
To understand all that you’ve done before
And to realize the plans you have in store.
And when I long to know what I don’t see
You give me the courage to believe.
Oh what a wonderful wonder,
A display of great beauty and power
Oh what a wonderful wonder
You are to me
I can hardly wait until the time
when you will turn my darkness into light.
and I’ll finally find my way to heaven’s door
where I won’t need my faith anymore.
And when my eyes behold your majesty
I’ll join with the angels and we’ll sing
Oh what a wonderful wonder,
A display of great beauty and power
Oh what a wonderful wonder
You are to me.
Until the day when our faith is exchanged for sight, may we learn to love the One who gives us life.
by: Jinha Kim
"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14