How To Say Goodbye

Alba 9-10-2023

HOW TO SAY GOODBYE

Ephesians 6:23-24

People don't write letters as much as they used to do. We do more texting now on our phones. It is really kind of sad since a lot of good conversation between people will be lost in the netherworld, if there is such a place.

Every letter has an ending. The way to end a letter depends on who is writing it and to whom it is written. For example, on the website “Indeed Career Guide” it says, “Ending a letter clearly and professionally is important as it is the last thing your audience will read.”

They suggest the following Professional Closings: Thank you, Regards, Respectfully, Cordially, With gratitude,

or Best regards.

And for a more casual closing, they offer: All the best,

Thanks, Talk soon, Best wishes, Warmly, Have a good day/evening/weekend, and Many thanks.

They suggest not using words like: With love, Yours truly,

Love, or Always if it is a professional letter. But of course, those would be proper ways to end a letter to a family member or good friend.

Letters could include just some normal everyday stuff. Or it might have something that later is of historical interest. I have a number of letters that my father wrote to his mother and to his aunt when he served as a soldier in the Great War, World War I. Although any real information was limited due to espionage concerns.

He often used postcards provided by the Red Cross for soldiers. The last note he wrote when he was returning from the war is dated May 29, 1919.

Here is what he said, “Well I am on the ocean and expect to land by the first. So I think I will be home soon. I have had a good trip so far. I don't suppose I will have much to time to write after hitting shore. So you may not hear anymore from me as I would probably beat it home anyway. I escaped sea sickness again this time, though more of the boys were sick this time. Just passed a boat headed the other way. Well space bids me close. Verner H.”

It is just a simple note, but gives me insight into what my father was experiencing long before I was born. His closing words, “Well space bids me close”, are true. He barely had room to write them.

I am glad that when the apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Ephesian church, he apparently had enough room to say all that he wanted to say and what he wished for the church.

It is not a simple closing to his letter. It expands on all that he had previously written to them.

It is found in Ephesians 6:23-24, where he writes: “Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.”

What a beautiful way to end his letter. Although I am not sure that “indeed Career Guide” would have approved, except that it was very important as the last thing in his letter that the church would read.

He speaks of peace, love, faith and grace. Perhaps you noticed that the hymns we sang this morning also had those same themes. Each one is important to know and experience in our Christian walk.

1. Peace. The letter to the Ephesians mentions peace seven times. This is something that we need in our lives. Peace is a gift from God. It is nurtured by faith and expressed most fully in our most difficult trials.

People often try other means to find peace. Like one person said, “My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far today, I have finished two bags of chips and a chocolate cake. I feel better already.”

But when people are alienated from God, such solutions don't work. We need peace with God. We need the peace of God. And we need peace with one another.

The word for peace here means a state of untroubled, undisturbed, well being. Paul's prayer for the Ephesians is that God might give them peace.

Earlier in his letter, Paul had written that Jesus is our peace who has broken down the walls that separate us from one another (Ephesians 2:14). And in Romans 5:1 he said, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross, and His resurrection, is the source of true peace – both peace with God and peace with others. Jesus broke down every wall that separates us from others – race, social class, gender, or geography.