Reunions
I’m not sure whether it’s just my generation but it seems that as time goes by we tend to move further and further away from those we know.
Reference: v.29 Joseph had his chariot made ready and went to Goshen to meet his father Israel. As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time. (NIV Bible)
Explore: While our modern technology makes it easier for us to stay in touch with friends and family, our way of life makes it quite difficult. I’m not sure whether it’s just my generation but it seems that as time goes by we tend to move further and further away from those we know. There were 200 students in my Year 12 class and I would be lucky to catch up with 3 of them. There were over 1000 students in my University class and I only stay in touch with one of them – and that is via email as they now live overseas. It’s not because I’m a horrible person and difficult to befriend (I hope not, anyway!) but because people moved around so much that we quickly separated geographically. Facebook has certainly brought some old friends from my past to my attention but there’s nothing quite like catching up, face-to-face, with an old friend.
Application: I’m sure there was not a dry eye in the place when Jacob was reunited with his son Joseph. Jacob thought that Joseph was dead and had mourned for his lost son for years. This reunion would have been a joyous occasion for both of them. Sure enough, when we catch up with old school friends the reunion is not so highly emotional, but it can often feel nice to be connected to something broader than ourselves. It is easy to slot into a lifestyle where we only associate with a small circle of close friends. But acknowledging people from our past can give us a broader perspective and help us to see that these people have helped to form us and that we are a part of something bigger.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for always being there for us. We live in the knowledge that You are present every step of our lifetime. Thank you. Amen.
Is there someone from your past that you would like to reunite with?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.