I have always believed that there are three fundamental needs in each of our lives:
1. To be loved
2. To love
3. To have meaning and purpose in life
These three needs are only addressed and experienced in the midst of relationships. Therefore, the isolated person is largely unable to have these needs satisfied.
The need we have for meaning and purpose in life is one that we spend an incredible amount of time and effort pursuing and trying to fulfill. Unfortunately, we often find that true and lasting meaning and purpose eludes us at the deepest and darkest corners of our soul. No matter how many things we pack into our lives, there are places where things just don’t satisfy. That is because ‘what’s’ do not fit into the corners where ‘who’s’ are meant to be.
You see, the human heart is designed for relationships. First, we are designed to have a relationship with the one who created us, who sustains us and who redeems us. That is God Himself. He is the one in whom we can rely when our world is fractured and disconnected. He is above all the chaos and yet present with us in the midst of it all. He is the one to whom we can entrust ourselves. He is the one who loves us the most and teaches us how to love. Without Him, we are lost and alone on some forgotten celestial highway. Without a relationship with Him, we are left with an internal vacuum that is never satisfied. With Him, we possess all the help we need to survive on a living hope.
But God did not design us to only relate on the vertical axis with Him. He designed us to relate on the horizontal axis with one another. He wants to use each one of us in each others lives. Even though we are limited in our ability to love and provide meaning and purpose, God still uses us to reflect and radiate Himself throughout our community. It has been said that sometimes each of us just need “Jesus with skin on Him” in the midst of our daily lives. And guess what? He thinks the same thing. As a result, He gave us each other.
So, a small group is one of the best places to experience God. It will not be a perfect place, but it can be a really good place… a place to hear His Word, a place to have conversation about it and apply it to real life and a place to be mutually supportive in prayer.
Therefore… think seriously about being a part of a small group this year. On the next few Sundays, you will have an opportunity to give us your feedback concerning what sort of a small group might be most productive for you. We will do our best to address your preferences, though we do have limitation. Thank you for helping us attempt to be more effective.
This Sunday, you’ll hear more about what sort of small groups we currently offer if any of those fit your needs and availability.