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A community that matters - Mark 3:13-14


Mark 3:13 Jesus called together a select group of His followers and led them up onto a mountain. 14 There He commissioned them the twelve. [Later He calls them His emissaries.] He wanted them to be with Him. He sent them out to spread the good news.

Earlier this year I wrote a post about personal goals for this year, and my own words spoke to me today:

“One key thing I plan to do this year is to be available frequently for those who are important to me. I need to be a more frequent and committed participant in community.”

In his humanness, Jesus set the example for how we should conduct our lives. His mission included other people personally selected to help carry out the Plan.  The same is true for the rest of us.

We can’t go on our own power. You and I can’t do good works without having the Holy Spirit’s guiding light. We must first go to the Lord and spend quality time knowing His heart. We must go to Him to receive our power for the things we do in His name (also known as ministry). I’m not talking about clergy; I’m talking about people like you and me.

Expect to be disappointed, stressed and overwhelmed anytime you do good works without first spending time with Jesus. It just can’t be done, trust me.

We also need people who love the Lord and who will walk with us and hold us accountable.  This is where I see an opportunity for me. 

As I've written before, I’m a public person who prefers spending time with my only child, in thought, writing and reading, enjoying hobbies, with my cats and in prayer--rather than with others. I occasionally like the company of close friends and family over a meal or special event.  That’s just how my personality works.  

My most effective ministry is done one-on-one.  It’s powerful and I know that is how God wired me.

Frankly, most people make me tired. They drain me and I tend to back off. 

But God made us to need each other, so I’m committing to putting together a small group of people who will walk alongside me in ministry and I will do the same for them. I have an idea of who they are.

It’s a big commitment because I've been in small groups and Sunday school classes and that’s not what God is calling me to do.  This goes deeper...to a more authentic level.

If this resonates with you, ask God to show you who needs to walk with you to make you stronger in His work.

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