My heart is sad. You gave me too good of family and friends. You gave me so much love I keep finding as I'm packing and it’s too heavy for my pack. In Luke 18 there is a story about a rich ruler. I always thought this ruler’s richness pertained only to money, and I'm sure it is. But as I am back home from camp and in a three week waiting period I'm wondering if Jesus could be talking about being rich in relationship as well. 

Jesus said this rich ruler was so eager and fired up about Jesus and eternal life, to sell all his things and give to the poor. To follow Himself and with Jesus' word that the rich ruler will have treasure in Heaven. 

"But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich." 

v23 (ESV)

As I'm embarking on this grand adventure I’m very sad because I see how rich in relationships I am. We say yes and ask Jesus “what next?” in moments of hype and need for change in our lives and in the world or simply more hope for either. It is so easy especially when seeing the fruit until He says to leave behind your treasure IN ORDER to follow Him, your treasure will be greater. 

“Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said ‘How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God’...” v24 (ESV)

Jesus SEES us. He sees our sadness and sacrifice and He explains why we must let go of our presents and treasure He has given us on this side of heaven. It is difficult to seek God’s kingdom when you're completely content with your own. It is difficult to give your heart to the nations and walk out the great commission when your heart is so full and satisfied by those around you. It is difficult to need and learn to depend on a good Father, when you have such great presents that He has given you!! Very difficult to make new and more friends when yours are amazing!! I think that's why He has us go and give, because if I didn't know Him and continue to ask questions I wouldn’t know to grow hope that eternal life will be even better than this one. 

“Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers(sisters) or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.” v29 (ESV)

So I leave my family and friends for eleven months with Jesus watching over them. He loves and cares for them far greater than I. I leave with a promise from Jesus that the time I will have with them will be so much sweeter and better. “...receive many times more in this time,...” v29

I follow Jesus with His promise that the people I love we’ll have eternity “...and in the age to come eternal life.” v29 (ESV)

Jesus, I’m holding you to that. 

Also thanks God for more friends and an amazing opportunity. I genuinely love them all already!