Last Sunday I pulled away from FBC Austell for the last time as an official staff member. I expected it to feel monumental because this is such a huge life change, but, to my surprise it felt very average, as if nothing had changed. I also expected to feel a deep sense of sadness, but it never came, I just felt, normal.

After thinking about why such an unusual event evoked such an average response I have come to only one conclusion; we weren’t saying good bye. Leaving didn’t feel monumental because I left knowing that we would be back to visit. It didn’t feel sad because I knew that I would see all of our friends again.

I am realizing more and more how interconnected we are through Jesus. In reality we aren’t just a church family, we are more than that. We are a body, and as a body we can’t be separated easily. My life has been touched by the people at FBC Austell and will continue to be, just as my life will continue to impact and minister to them. And so, even though we will see each other less, we are still connected as brothers and sisters through the Heavenly Father.

I would say that my only regret is not embracing how interconnected we really were while I was still on staff. It seems that only in leaving do I realize the impact of both my life on others and their lives on me. I only hope that in the future that my eyes will be open to see how closely my life is interwoven with others and be more intentional in developing those relationships.