Saying Goodbye

As an itinerate pastor there were times I had to say goodbye to members whom I had grown to love. It was never easy, but somehow, by God’s grace, transition occurred, and I and my former parishioners survived! The Apostle Paul, the first itinerate pastor, said goodbye many times as he moved from place to place founding new churches. His path – God’s path for him – always moved him forward to greater challenges and responsibilities. Life’s experiences do include learning to say goodbye. Nothing is permanent. Change is constant. The future always beckons us forward. We must say goodbye to some of life’s relationships to say hello to new ones.

In the Acts of the Apostles (20:17-28;36-38) we are privileged to read Paul’s farewell address and his friends’ reactions. Paul reminded them of his ministry among them and the gospel he had proclaimed. Most importantly, he reminded them of why he must say goodbye: he had to go to Jerusalem because he was “compelled by the Spirit,” even though there was great uncertainty about what would happen there. But he was driven by the Spirit to complete the task God had given him. What is God calling you to do that will require you to say goodbye to certain things?

In December, 2000, I began to struggle with where I was in ministry and what I was doing as a district superintendent. The struggle was prompted by one of my pastors, who raised a profound question, “What more do you want to accomplish before you retire?” That question resulted in a spiritual quest to seek God’s direction for my future. It led me to take early retirement in June, 2001 and take a step in faith. I was compelled to respond to the Spirit moving me to “get out of the boat” and risk doing a new thing. Responses to my decision were varied and difficult for some to understand. My personal reactions included grief and anxiety about facing the unknown future. However, I learned a great lesson through my spiritual journey of transitioning: “While we may not know what the future holds, we know Who holds the future.” In time, I came to experience joy and greater fulfillment in a new chapter of ministry, confident that I had made the right decision. God continually leads and opens doors of opportunity. I continue to cling to this claim: “If it is of God, God will provide.” How does your faith equip you for tomorrow?

As Paul departed, he gave this commission: “Keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.” (vs.28) How can you claim this commission?

There were tears when the people thought of life without Paul. We identify with those feelings when relationships dear to us come to a close. Saying goodbye to persons we hold dear is never easy. But Paul wanted his friends to think about the future and the responsibilities it held. If we claim the blessings of the relationships and stay focused on the possibilities of what lies ahead, God truly will guide our path to a more promising future.