Separation is a primal fear, whether it is separation from something we fear, whether it's separation from a child, a parent, a sibling, a spouse, a friend, but especially separation from God is a deep fear for those of us who love him. Jesus endured separation from God by becoming a human and by going to the cross. As Paul put it so eloquently: God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). Because of Jesus' sacrifice, and our faith that he did it for us, we are in Christ. We know we'll never have to be separated from God's love. He bore the separation so we would never have to fear it. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God's love for us in Jesus!

Gracious and loving Father of all peoples, thank you for loving us in Jesus and adopting us as your children in Christ to bring us close to you. Thank you for promising that nothing can separate us from your love. Use the Spirit to help us know, deep inside, making us experientially aware of your accompanying presence in our lives as you live with us, in us, and make your home with us as we live for you (John 14:19-23). We pray this in Jesus name. Amen.