Sabbath Devotional
Reunions are beautiful. People apart; now together. They are heartwarming, uplifting, and sometimes unsettling. Images that come to mind are families over cookouts, picnic tables with covered dishes, paper plates, potato salad and watermelon. Reunions are a military mom or dad slipping into a gym at school, suddenly discovered by their 9-year-old – bursts with screams, tears, hugs, and falling to the floor together – no embarrassment. Reunions are every time I come home our dog Tribble climbing up with whimpers and licks, greeting me as though I was away for a year – every evening!
Covid-19 was a reunion breaker. While apart, life went on. We hid with measured fear. Routines changed. Some became unemployed while others became extremely over worked. We went to the doctor, paid bills, cleaned house, tripled our time in front of a screen and celebrated health-care workers and first responders. Most difficult, are those alone in hospitals or funerals barely attended. Reunions; we need them. We must Reconnect; I must reconnect, because I need you – and perhaps you need me.
Reunions in God’s Word are plentiful. From the Old Testament is the Reconnect after twenty years by Esau and Jacob, or Jacob and his sons with Joseph now COO of Egypt. In the New Testament there is Mary and Elizabeth, a widow and her only son, a synagogue ruler and his daughter, a leper to his family. Perhaps most precious is Jesus reconnecting with the fearful struggling disciples after He gave His life on the cross and rose from the dead. First Jesus meets with Mary, then with some women (including His mother), then Peter, the two on the road, with ten disciples behind locked doors, and finally Thomas. Imagine Jesus, Creator, reuniting with us His people! — Words from Christian / Gospel singers, Mercy Me, say it so well in the powerful song “I can only Imagine.”
I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk by your side
I can only imagine
What my eyes would see
When your face is before me
I can only imagine
I can only imagine, yeah
Surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus
Or in awe of You be still
Will I stand in your presence
To my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
When that day comes
And I find myself
Standing in the sun
I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
Surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus
Or in awe of You be still
Will I stand in your presence
Or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine
Reunions, gatherings, assemblies. Reconnected again- Tears, screams, and embraces! Reunions; we need them. We need them now.
