Longing

But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured more eagerly to see your face with great desire. Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy. – 1 Thessalonians 2.17-20

Hopefully we are beginning to come to the end of all of this separation and isolation. It seems like it has been forever doesn’t it – and it has been a full two months. As a pastor and friend and dad and grampy there is a lot of ‘longing to see them’ and we still have a while yet to go. We still won’t be together in church for a while.

Paul says ‘Satan hindered us.’ I don’t know about that here, but we are surely being hindered from fellowship be it by disease of edict, we are still hindered and our hearts do yearn with Paul. There are a few families close enough to call by and step back and stay hello and last week we drove to Sallins and knocked on a couple of doors and this week we should be allowed to meet in very tiny groups of four if we stay outside.

It’s still going to be a while before we are able to assemble together.

That’s causing a terrible longing.

At times like this it is vital that we all are not wavering in our faith. It is vital that families and couples and individuals are spending time in God’s word and in praying for each other.

Don’t let your faith be shaken. This longing will be fulfilled one day. Stay true to God and His word and to each other even though we aren’t together in body we can be in spirit.

On a personal from Mary to our own church folks - you are indeed our glory and our joy.