Leaving-The journey through a dark tunnel

Today I left my home, my friends, family, grandparents, cousins, and a great city bound for a far away place called Miami, FL.  Most people would be excited to be heading to a tropical vacation destination and although I was excited, I learned for really the first time in my life that leaving is really hard and I stink at saying goodbye.


Leaving means saying goodbye to something and saying hello to something else.  It's like venturing into a dark tunnel with no light.  You may know who you are going into the tunnel with but you can't seem to see what is on either side of you or where it ends.  The only thing that seems clear is who you are with and who and what is behind you. 
        This paints such a good picture of what is going on in my heart.  I can't see what is ahead of me as I journey to Miami.  I have never been there and I don't even have an apartment to live in when I arrive.  I am unsure of what my job will look like and I don't know who my new friends will be.  It all seems so dark and opaque.  The contrast to this darkness is what I have left behind.  Behind me my family and friends shine brightly.  I have been so blessed to have a supportive, loving and Christ-centered family.  God has brought so many amazingly fun, energetic, crazy and loving friends who hold Christ above all else.  To top it all off I left a city where God changed me into a man after his own heart. Fargo/Moorhead forever holds a special place in my heart as God used this place and the people to bring me into a deep relationship with him.  
            As I turn and look back at my friends and family in Fargo/Moorhead everything seems to clear and bright.  A huge part of me wants to turn around and walk back into the light.  I'm drawn to it's clarity.  I can see everyone and I know their love awaits me.  It's such an enticing sight but I look forward into the dark tunnel as I cling to the truth that God is my guide and he has prepared the way for me.  I see a small path of light ahead of me lit by each person radiating with God's love.   Their light doesn't illuminate the whole tunnel but it allows me to take a few steps ahead without stumbling in the darkness.  
    Today, I took these few steps ahead into this dark tunnel.  It was difficult to say my goodbyes.  I had so many things I wanted to say to my family but I couldn't seem to be able to express it all.  I was sad to be leaving such special friends and scared their light wouldn't be coming with me.  As I left though I slowly started to realize that the light of my family and friends did shine on ahead.  God chose to use their light to illuminate just enough of the path for me to start on this journey.  There is still much of the tunnel to get through but with the light from behind and from above I can confidently say I will make it though.