Reunions and Re-union

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  John 10:10b (NIV)

If I were to give 2006 a name, it would have to be Year of Reunions.  We began in June when we joined my husband’s cousins for a vacation in the Bahamas.  We didn’t know them well so this was an opportunity to get better acquainted and meet their children for the first time.  In July, we gathered in Idaho where our immediate family flew in from Pennsylvania and we enjoyed several days together. Just a couple of weeks ago, we drove to New York, where I grew up, and attended my extended family reunion spanning three generations.  Thirty plus people enjoyed a meal and lots of conversation.

Reunions are special and fulfill a need and a purpose. Inherent in us is a need to stay connected and meet the need to “belong.” Each reunion was unique with different personalities, a different focus, different ages, and as you have already read, took place in a different location. We reminisced, learned new things about each other, enjoyed seeing new additions to the family, remembered those who were no longer with us, and re-connected in a moment in time making memories to last a lifetime. Yes, as we said our good-byes, we knew that we “belonged” to one another.

God also calls us to re-union everyday to connect with Him. “I am the vine,” Jesus said, “and you are the branches.”  Vines and branches are intricately and intimately connected. “Without me,” says Jesus, “you can do nothing.”  (John 15:5) Vines are the source of nourishment and life. Do you need to reconnect and get a fresh supply of nourishment to “do life?” Are you looking for fresh ideas for a daily re-union with God?  Consider these ideas for a breath of fresh air as you develop times of re-union:

                        Keep a scripture calendar handy. I have one on my nightstand.  It’s the first thing I read when I wake up and the last thing I look at as I go to bed at night. My calendar can be used over and over again because it has only a date and not a year. Each date has a Bible verse and a quote. It is surprising how many times I needed exactly what was written on the page.

                        Use different versions of your Bible for your daily devotions each month. The translations will give fresh meaning to familiar passages.  Look for a word or sentence to stand out to you and meditate on a passage. Write comments and dates in the margins of your Bible if a passage relates to a specific event or season in your life. Later, it will remind you of God’s faithfulness to you.

                        Keep a journal to record Bible verses that were especially meaningful to you, an experience where you clearly saw God’s hand working, or where a friend gave you some timely advice.  Record what new Bible truths you have learned and are applying. Record your prayer requests and answers in your journal.

                        Use a photo album and pray for people in your pictures.  You may want to make a photo album specifically as a prayer journal.

                        Sing! Praise choruses and hymns have rich Biblical truths. Sing a hymn or chorus during your quiet time, read through the words, or play a recording and capture what God is saying to you.

Both reunions and re-union are opportunities to be changed by our interactions and relationships.  They are places where we reconnect and recharge.  They take us back to our roots and remind of life and love—both from our family and from our God. They remind us that we belong.

Reflection:  Do you need to recharge your spiritual life? Is there one suggestion from today’s reading that you can implement to enhance your re-union with God each day. 

© Marilyn Nutter, All rights reserved.