Finding direction in life is not meant to be a singular pursuit. To quote the 16th century poet/pastor John Donne, "No man is an island, entire of itself." God's call to relationship involves spiritual family. A religion that isolates and separates is incomplete and not whole. A confession in faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord brings us into a community of believers. Matthew 16:18 show us Jesus response to Peters confession of faith, "You are blessed Simon, son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. Now I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the powers of hell will not conquer it."
The church is not a building or an institution.... though many people act and live as if it is. No, the church is a community of believers called out to live in relationship with God and one another. The immensity of God's love and grace are meant to be shared and not held to oneself. A self centered believer is an aberration and a sign of an incomplete faith. The fallen world seeks after 'self fulfillment' and pleasure above all else. The true church (community of believers) seeks after self denial and the glory of a God who truly satisfies. When you have everything you need through grace you cease grasping, striving and manipulating in relationship.
The Holy Spirit equips and empowers his 'called out' ones with unique grace gifts that guide us in life. In 1 Corinthians chapter 12:7, "A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another he gives the gift of special knowledge.......grace gifts are designed to mature and grow us together in love.
The demands and pressures of life are always magnified and amplified when we walk the road alone. The wisdom of Solomon in the Old testament speaks to this, "Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. If one person falls , the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble." (Ecclesiastes 4: 9,10)
As a believer in God you are truly united with other believers. You are meant to become a part of a spiritual family that can speak into your life and help you to 'grow up' spiritually. There are many forgiven and yet immature people of faith wandering around without direction and purpose. When you are joined to a spiritual family in ongoing relationship of committed faith you are in a position to hear God at a deeper level than when you live separated unto yourself.
There are special foundational gifts given to the church that help establish and guide us through our lives. Ephesians 4: 11 reveals how Christ has blessed the church with spiritual authority and guidance, "He is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church (the body of Christ) until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ."
Direction in life goes way beyond the location where we live....where we work.....what we do. Direction in life is rooted in the ministry of the interior.... spiritual growth. When you're not connected to the family of God, you're a spiritual orphan in mortal danger of deception and moral failure. You can't become who you were born to be until you're connected to the spiritual family God has prepared to help you grow and mature. To live and and serve with God's family is both fulfilling and vital in sharing God's love with a lost world in need of direction as well.
Are you connected vitally to spiritual family? We really do need one another. The world is a dangerous place for a loner. Don't settle for a weekly religious experience without vital relationship. Everyone needs a Pastor who really knows them... who prays for them....who has a heart for people. Pray and ask God to connect you to the right spiritual family. Don't wait. Come home to family.
Jim
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