“REED” This
Don’t Leave Me
“Do you want to stay and play with me?”, she asks. “Yes, I do, but I have to go to work.”, I respond. We had the wonderful opportunity of having our granddaughter stay with us overnight. She is always such a joy to have around. She was so talkative and happy that morning, and we had fun playing with some blocks. She enjoys using one as a camera and was taking Debbie and my picture with it. She then let me take a picture of her and her BeeBee, which is the name she calls Debbie. We then went outside to swing until I had to get to work. But it was so difficult to have to leave. It reminds me so much of when my boys were younger and I had to tell them the same thing, “Yes, I want to just stay home and play with you, but I have to go to work.”
As parents, we’ve all had to do this with our children at some point, even if you are a stay-at-home parent. There are times that we are not able to stay with our children because of work or other obligations. “Don’t leave me” is a cry we have all heard as well, as children are sometimes afraid we won’t come back. But we reassure them that it will only be for a little while. There’s a sadness that comes from that separation. We enjoy being together with our family. And I’m sure we can all remember the feelings we had when we were children ourselves.
Jesus knew His disciples were going to feel this separation anxiety when He left them for the cross. But just like we never leave our children alone, Jesus told them they would have someone with them all the time. He says in John 14:16-17a, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit.” What a wonderful gift! Even though Jesus had to leave the earth and would no longer be with them in person, they would not be left alone. They would have the Holy Spirit indwelling them. And this same promise is for every believer, every disciple, which, of course, includes us today. God Almighty is always with us and will never leave us. What a wonderful Father! Plus, Jesus also promises to return. In John 14:1-3 He says to His disciples, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in Me. There is more than enough room in My Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with Me where I am.” Our wonderful Savior and Lord has promised all of us that He will come back and take us with Him to be with Him for all eternity. We have this hope because of His promise. And He always keeps His promises. And until that time, we have God in the form of the Holy Spirit living within us, so we are never alone. Jesus reminds them of this again in John 16.
Many mornings I’ve had to go through the difficulty of leaving for work with my children waving goodbye. Thankfully, I have always been able to return home to be with them. I know that is not always the case for some. But we all have this hope, that if we train up our children in the way of the Lord, they can become followers of Jesus and always have the indwelling Spirit within them, too. Then, when everything is ready, Jesus will come and get all of us to be with Him where no one will ever have to leave.
Bro. Paul Reed
Tuesday, October 4, 2022