I’ve been doing this for over two decades now… packing suitcases, closing the door on the house we called home for a few months or even a few years, saying goodbye to family and friends on one continent so I can say hello to family and friends on another. I should be used to this by now, but it stung more this time than ever before. 

Perhaps it was because my oldest nieces and nephews are edging closer to the day when they will invite us to weddings and we’ll be too far away to attend. Maybe it’s because my sister just added five new children to her family and I want to be there to watch them grow up. Or because my parents are getting visibly older, or because our sons grew deep roots in the fertile soil of school and church and friendships. 

It didn’t help that in the midst of all the packing, my oldest announced, “I’m never going to be a global worker. I hate saying goodbye!” 

I came close to careening into despair, but God brought to mind one of the seven churches in the book of Revelation. Philadelphia was not strong, but this was one of only two churches with whom God did not find fault. He had opened a door before them that no one could shut. He praised Philadelphia for not denying Him, while keeping His word and enduring patiently. He encouraged them to hold on a little bit longer.

And then he promised that the one who overcomes… 

... who is victorious… 

... who walks through those open doors... 

...will be made into a pillar in God’s temple and will never have to leave!

With farewell tears still fresh on my cheeks, the thought of becoming a permanent, unmovable pillar in God’s very own temple is such an encouragement. No more goodbyes–only hellos as family and friends arrive from all over the world.

And best of all, to become that pillar I don’t need to bring a long list of numbers… souls who are saved... good works completed on distant continents.

All I need to do is be faithful and walk through the open doors.