Separation
I don’t really like separation because it’s usually in the context of me being away from my family because of business travel. I am pretty much a “home body”, but there are times I need to go study, learn and be present at a conference or leadership meeting as a participant. Separation is being apart from someone or something. I don’t like being apart from my family. As my children grew up and moved away, I understood that this was part of life, but I can hardly bear not seeing them, hugging them and hanging out with them. The separation is sometimes heart wrenching and heart breaking.
I was reminded of the comfort that I have knowing that nothing or no one can separate me from God – my strength and my source of life. Paul reminded me that in Christ, “God works all things for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.” That’s quite a promise. He goes on to say that we will not be separated from God. Check this out…
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:31-39 NIV)The word is NOTHING. Nothing can separate me from God. I’m connected to Him and He is with me through anything I could possibly face here on this earth. I hold on to Him, but more importantly, He’s holding on to me. He loves me. He wants fellowship with me. He has saved me. He has forgiven me and now He wants me to be His friend. I have no other Friend like Him. He is my Advocate, my Counselor and my Confidant. I really can’t imagine what life would look like if I were separated from God. He has shaped my soul and He has molded my heart to be like His. I’m glad that I don’t have to stress about doing life without Him. He will never leave me or forsake me, and NOTHING seen or unseen can separate me from Him. I can hang my hat on Hope like that!
Pressing On! Dwayne