Matthew 28:19-20[19] “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Here in Alpine, we see our family and friends leaving town during summer vacation to eat up new experiences, buying fancy things, taking pictures of beautiful and breathtaking views outside of the region, and ultimately gaining new experiences outside our world here in West Texas.

We also see family and friends move away from this wondrous land and venture forth with the hope and dream of building a new life. New sights, new people, and a new chapter in the journey!

In the church, it’s definitely a bittersweet moment to look to your brothers and sisters in Christ and say “goodbye.”

Questions arise on all ends, such as, “Is God calling me/us to leave?” or, “How do I/we know if God’s truth and word are being valued and followed through this move?”

The church responds in many different ways - either solemn recognition and acceptance, or indifference and anger. However, the Word of God can expound on many different features of the Bible that detail godly and worshipful obedience in the midst of these situations.

The scripture above is a prime example of God, the Son – Jesus, making a deliberate statement of movement. The action word is “go.” The nature by which you go ranges from reaching those in need of God’s truth in divine revelation, to creating opportunities of discipleship that lead to expressions of faith, baptism, and further discipleship cycles.

We see people documented in the Word as going, or being called to go, throughout every book. Whether a person chosen by God who was deliberate in following or not (Gen 12; Gen 28:10-17; Exodus 3; Jonah 1), God’s hand moves us to bear His name, and tell all others of the gospel. Let it be a testament to God’s sovereignty and will, rather than happenstance and calamity, that our heavenly family is called out far and wide.

I write this with my church in mind. I write this with our student attendees in mind. I write this with long-lasting friendships and bonds in mind. I hope that you read this with yours in mind as well, and that your desire to pray over them, to speak truth and light to them, and to trust God with all things is growing every day.

May we see these moments as God using His creation and adopted children to seek and find those He desires, and reclaim them to Himself. Use our praise to express our gratitude and love for Christ in the midst of these challenges, but also see to it that you appreciate the beauty and truth of taking part with God’s plan through the all-important word - go.

Dedicated to Jon and Emily Herrera, and all of Collision Church - Acts 13:1-3.