40 Days Of Purpose – Looking Ahead…
Well, we did it…. the dust has settled a little bit.. we have read through the 40 Days of Purpose. Though this blog post is being written 14 days after we finished the book, the fact is we are just beginning to put in practice what we have learned.
I am sure that there were parts of the book that spoke right to you and resonate like it did me. There were other chapters that perhaps didn’t strike a chord. All in all though I think we’d all agree that something was birthed here in the Antelope Valley. We are forever changed by what we have learned.
Our small group is continuing to meet. We have grown to love each other and care for one another in a way that is both exciting and humbling. We have had a chance to get to know one another, pray for each other and begin new relationships that would not have happened if we didn’t have the opportunity to share the 40 Days Of Purpose with each other. The fact is that we need each other, and just as Rick Warren points out in our second of the five purposes, we are “formed for God’s family…”
Speaking of family…
For those of us who have may have a tendency towards being happy lone rangers, and feel that the time commitment is a “hassel” or perhaps we minimize the role of other Christians in our lives, let me encourage you.
Getting on a more intimate level and not distancing ourselves is part of being able to mature in a way that we simply cannot do on our own.
I think that it’s an important reminder that we are not designed to live our lives alone and isolated. It’s just plain unhealthy. As we let down our guard and let other people in, an amazing transformation occurs. We find that though we may feel needy, (and we are), we actually have something to give. The gift that God has placed in us that perhaps we didn’t even know existed, begins to grow, blossom, be shared and recognized by the others that we are in fellowship with. It’s the precious gift of Christ-likeness that is released. We experience our third purpose… we were created to be become like Christ. He who gave Himself for us that we can live…
As we look ahead together and how we can apply what we have learned, let’s remember that God has created you with unique and valuable gift that you can discover and use for His glory. Though you may not see it clearly, and maybe you are even afraid to become vulnerable, it’s important to step out in faith and let your brothers and sisters see who you are. One of the ways to do this is in a small group.
With all of this in mind, this weekend is a very special weekend. We are having the Highlands Annual Ministry Fair where people from various home group fellowships will be available as well as music ministry, dance, exercise, Bible Study groups, Motorcycle groups, and many others will be sharing their passions and talents with you.
The idea is this….
We need you to operate in the gifts and calling that God has put in your life. This will include other people.. so.. take the time to get a sense for what you feel that may be, stop procrastinating and get involved.
Let’s remember what Matthew 12:14-30 says:
“For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’
His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’
Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’
And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’
But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed.
Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’
For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.
Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Not to good for the worthless slave…but here is the good news as we Look Ahead…
What a tremendous and absolutely incredible opportunity for us to invest our gifts and be pleasing in His sight. After all, as we have studied, our first purpose is that we were “Planned For God’s Pleasure.” Let’s bring Him pleasure!