Missions of Mercy

The Roman Stoic philosopher, Seneca is attributed with saying, “every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end.” Contained therein is both hope and despair; the joy of possibilities and the pain of loss. I’ve come to realize I don’t like goodbyes. Endings are painful. In Luke 24 Jesus “withdrew” from the disciples. He left them! And I couldn’t help but think I would be sad, in despair, and afraid what would come next. But the disciples worshiped Jesus, returned to Jerusalem with “great joy,” and were continually in the temple. Why? Because they were filled with the hopeful anticipation of new beginnings and the joy of the possibilities that awaited them. Jesus was carried up into heaven that heaven might come near.