He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:20, NIV).

I like comings more than goings. This past fall, my husband and I sent our youngest off to college, and faced the emotional challenge of the empty nest. I paged through baby books and photo albums remembering the huge joy that accompanied the arrival of each of our children. We also rejoiced in their various milestones—graduation, marriage, moving to a new place, tackling a new career, busy lives full of their own unique callings. Yet those joys were tempered with the sadness of loss. Each event pulled them a bit further from us.

I also like comings more than goings when we have friends or family over to the house. In fact, whenever friends visit I find myself doing what we call the “Minnesota good-bye.” At some point in conversation, a guest glances at her watch and says, “Well, we better get going.” I agree and we stand up... and keep chatting.

Eventually we make our way toward the door, and the guests put on their coats. But then one of us thinks of a topic we meant to discuss and the conversation heads onto a new tangent as we stand in the foyer. We usually spend several minutes in the doorway, and often, my husband and I will walk out to the car with our guests... and talk some more.

We have a natural inclination to avoid separation and good-byes. We also love arrivals, whether through birth or a visit to our home. perhaps that’s why this verse fills me with so much joy. Jesus is returning—and He’ll bring the end to painful good-byes. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

FAITH STEP: Let’s invite Jesus to come soon, but also to make Himself evident in our lives while we wait for His final coming.

Written by Sharon Hinck