REUNIONS CAN BE TRYING EVENTS. They are often seen as events which mark the passage of time. A time to see the effects of time on those friends we once deemed ageless, much like ourselves. At reunions we face the frailty of our own lives. At reunions we weigh the success and failures of others. Whether we like it or not, reunions often become time of facing the judgment seat.
But it ought not to be that way.
This past weekend I have enjoyed many reunions. The reunion brought by Krista returning home from two and half years in Africa. Not a testing of age, or the judging of successes, just the sweetness of a family reunited. The reunion of friends from my youth, Don and Mark. No worries of the aging process, just fond, and often hilarious, memories of lives shared. The reunion of friends which was instituted by the retirement party of one of my key spiritual fathers, Ken Harrower. And of course, that reunion which takes place each week as the family of Felton Bible Church gathers to worship, pray, learn, laugh, and cry.
Yes, reunions can also be good things. They remind us of a greater reunion that will take place one day. A reunion of which the Apostle Paul writes, “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
There is another reunion coming. Ageless. True. Without judgment. Do you have your invitation?