Don’t Leave
I remember some really sad good-byes in my past. When someone I love leaves, it is a sad and hard day. I vividly remember some goodbyes from college. The goodbyes when my kids left home were really “gut wrenching”. I’m still not used to that. If I didn’t love so intensely maybe the goodbyes wouldn’t hurt so much. There are some goodbyes that will be with me a long time.
The people of Israel were saying goodbye to one another, their homeland and their way of life. Their disobedience costs them greatly. I think the one goodbye that they may have not known the significance of was when the Glory of The Lord left. Check this out….
3 Now the cherubim were standing on the south side of the temple when the man went in, and a cloud filled the inner court. 4 Then the glory of the Lord rose from above the cherubim and moved to the threshold of the temple. The cloud filled the temple, and the court was full of the radiance of the glory of the Lord. 5 The sound of the wings of the cherubim could be heard as far away as the outer court, like the voice of God Almighty when he speaks. (Ezekiel 10:3-5 NIV)
Sometimes when change happens, I don’t realize the significance of it for a bit. I have had great friends over the years, but the friendship was broken and it hurt. I have made new friends and I’ve learned the closer the friend, the deeper the pain when they depart.
I read a great quote about saying goodbye. “I don’t know how you say good-bye to whom and what you love. I don’t know a painless way to do it, don’t know the words to capture a heart so full and a longing so intense.” (Laura Wiess)
I don’t ever want the Glory of The Lord to leave my life. I want to walk closely with the Lord in order for Him to move and breathe through my life. When I’m really sad because I have to say good-bye to someone – The Glory of The Lord comforts my heart. His Presence helps my sorrow heal. He is there even if I don’t “feel” His Presence. He is there even if I can’t “see” Him. He is Faithful, Consistent, Steady and ALWAYS Present. I’m so thankful for that.
Pressing On!
Dwayne