The disciples sit in the upper room, some of them crying. A lot has happened since Jesus’ resurrection and ascension into heaven. The Holy Spirit has come upon the disciples, and they have worked as a community to spread the Gospel. But now, they will have to separate. Matthew will eventually end up in present-day Ethiopia; Thomas will eventually end up in present-day India, and the other disciples will all go their separate ways. The community they had known for three years is going to change, and as a result, a somber mood fills the room.
This description is a scene from the History Channel’s recent series, The Bible. While the accuracy of this scene can be debated, I can imagine this portrayal being at least similar to what actually happened and how the disciples actually felt as they faced having to be separated. For three years, they walked through life together and became a family, facing hardships and persecution. Now, they faced the unknown as their brothers would no longer be with them every day.
As I face leaving a community I’ve known and grown close with for the last six months, I can relate to how the disciples felt. For the last six months, I’ve built friendships with people who I can laugh with
people who I can worship with
people who I can look sexy with
and people who have become my family.
The idea of leaving them saddens me and the idea of facing the unknown as I leave scares me. But as I prepare to move home on Saturday, beginning a journey of working to pay off my student loans, and leave my community in Gainesville, I hold on to the same truth that the disciples were reminded of as Jesus, the head of their family, prepared to leave: “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
So as I enter into my last week with Adventures in Missions in Gainesville, yes, I’m sad, and yes, I’m a little scared as I walk into the unknown, but I’m also confident that I’m not going alone. The same Spirit that has been in this community for the last six months goes with me to Peachtree City, and while I’ll be leaving one part of the Body of Christ here in Gainesville, another part of the Body waits in Peachtree City. And with that promise, I leave Gainesville confident and excited for what is to come.
