”….. making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”
Ephesians 1:9-10 ESV
Family Matters. Family matters because it is the first place we are given to experience the fellowship of belonging with active participation.
God is a Father to those who have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. He desires to be a Father to all. He has breathed eternity into the heart of mankind, in their creation, that they might hunger for, seek, and find Him. He is the archetype that all Fatherhood is to derive its ‘name and nature’ (Hudsons translation of Ephesians 3:15).
I had an interesting travelling experience this summer. I met and engaged in conversation with an individual who participated in Orienteering. Having no idea what orienteering was, provided me with an entire flight of information. Following the flight, I took the time to find out what clubs and opportunities were available at home. I discovered that the ‘club’ asked for three things: participation, service, and fellowship after their regular meetings. This particular club was very clear in its expectation for whole-hearted commitment.
I thought about how much this was like church, of course, it was without Jesus at the head, but still looking for the foundational blocks that church provides.
The world will have its ‘clubs’ to provide its spiritual and relational needs through participation, service, and fellowship. Mankind intuitively replicates the heart’s cry that God has placed in everyone, yet they try to do so without God. The innate drive in every individual's heart is the need to serve, to belong, and the need to be a part of something larger than themselves….Family.
Every healthy man-made organization centres around these three dynamics: participation, service, and fellowship. As a rule, we are all quite willing to engage in those requirements whenever we join a club, yet when it comes to the ’real’ church, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth, with Jesus as the head, we want to engage on our own terms. Commitment, for many, loosely gives way to convenience.
It is the uniting and gathering around a central theme that creates the unity of the group. One value, one purpose. The oneness that flows from the Head with a unity and bonds that cannot be broken.
As the church was founded, we find in the book of Acts a group of men and women gathered around a single purpose, with one heart and one mind. They continued daily in this purpose in the temple and from house to house. Understanding that we are a body of believers, fitly joined together as individual members, gives us insight into the needs of mankind. We all want to belong.
Our responsibility as believers, when engaging with others, is to be able to touch the eternity that lies within them and bring it forth into the awareness of God and what He has provided through His son, Jesus Christ.
Ever ready to answer with the hope that lies within us, let us be keenly aware of each opportunity given and sow words of life, trusting that our part continues to water the seeds God has planted, 1 Cor. 6:8.
P. S. Enjoy the clubs you share in now, but know the author and giver of all life, is only Jesus. The club is not our life. The job is not our life. The relationships you have within these groups are opportunities to let the light shine so all will question this hope we hold.