The pain of separation

The word separation brings to mind so many things, but ultimately it makes me think of pain and abandonment.  Reading this chapter causes me to reflect on the reality of my own sin and how it separates me from God.  That God Himself would pay the price for me is a love that is overwhelming! To accept the reality that there is NOTHING I can do to bridge the gap is humbling.  In this season of advent, I am reminded that Christmas and Easter are not separate stories to be told, but one amazing love story about a Savior who "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."  (Phil 2:7-8)  I am so thankful that "The separation is gone!"