Longing to Reunite

We all know the power of waiting for someone we haven’t seen in a while. Years ago, we used to stand at the airport gate waiting for people to get off the plane. It was an event! Many parents will tell you there is nothing like a phone call or visit from an adult child. For so many, the distance between one another seems enormous until they are back together again. We’ve all seen movies of couples who reunite at some point after having been apart for a while. So many factors play a role in building the anticipation—the coffee shop or airport, sitting at a table, the person looking around excited, the music accompanying the scene, and then the moment of reconnection. If it’s done well, we all connect with the scene, understanding the longing and excitement of being reunited with people we love. Paul’s picture of the return of Christ with those who have gone before us is just like this.