In this life, most things come to an end. Whether it is a life itself, a season of the year, a career, a vacation or a stage of our lives...things end. While we know that endings have this inevitability to them, we nonetheless seem to have an aversion to acknowledging them. Most of us do not like to say goodbye. Instead we say "so long" or "farewell" or "see you later." In the South we take it to an art form: "Y'all come back now, ya hear?"

However, when we refuse to acknowledge certain life finalities, we actually set ourselves up for a fall. By refusing to say goodbye to the things that are over, we often try to get the same things from them that we did when they were vital and accessible. This leads us to frustration and even anger. We are also greatly hindered from stepping into the new because we are still trying to "get life" from what is no more. As a result the frustration can compound.

I vividly remember when my brother got married. He and I had enjoyed a pretty free accessibility to each other to play basketball, golf or just hang out; but, when he got married it changed. Soon after his wedding, I noticed that I had developed a bit of an attitude towards his wife who is one of the most delightful people you will ever meet. Perplexed by this, I described it to a friend. He shocked me with his counsel. "Did you ever say goodbye to your brother?" What kind of question was that? Why would I say goodbye to someone who was still there? My friend explained that while my brother was still there, something had come to an end. I needed to acknowledge it...say goodbye to what had been so that I could more readily embrace what was next.

All of this led me to scripture where I considered the altars that Israel often built to mark a spot of God's gracious activity among His people. Whether it was some fierce battle that the Lord had won for them or some miraculous provision that God had made for them, the Jews often would pause to recall the story of their plight and the recent display of God's goodness. Then they would pile up a bunch of large stones and build a memorial altar. After that, they moved on. In other words, they would rehearse the details of what was, thank God, commit it all to a place of faithful remembrance, mark it with an altar and head to what God had for them next. The temptation would be tremendous for them to want to hang out at the very spot where God had done His latest greatest thing among them. It would also be tempting for them to try to "get life" from something that had happened but had now come to an end.

So, they built altars.

They said goodbye.

And they continued on their journey with God.

A few weeks after that conversation with my friend, I took my brother out for dinner, reminisced about all the old times, and then said something that I don't think he saw coming. I said goodbye--not to him, but to all that was. And you know what? From that point forward, the edge I had had toward his wife was gone. A new journey for me with the two of them had begun.

Much has happened in our life together at All Saints over the past five and a half years. God has shown His grace and mercy again and again. So many stories. So many moments. This weekend we will say goodbye to a season of life together. And, in God's loving hands, we will step into the next season, having committed what has ended to a place of faithful remembrance. Teresa and I thank you for the distinct privilege we have known in being yoked with you in ministry. It has been an honor to be your pastor.

See you on Sunday.

Terrell