An area of focus is about where God is inviting us to participate as a body with Him as He builds His church now. Just as a builder would focus on certain areas of a structure in completing it, so too does God call us to areas of focus in His work of building the church in certain seasons.
At one point in Jesus’ mission, for example, he called his disciples to specifically focus on evangelism in Luke 10:1-2. That was a specific area of focus for a specific time in Jesus preparation of his people.
We believe that God has called us, in this season of our journey as a church to a specific focus.
We believe that focus is – building a people who belong. Belonging to God’s Kingdom and His church means we are fully known, fully loved, and never alone. It’s an identity, a mission, and a family.
AND
Where we belong, we are able to build and live out a life which leaves a legacy.
It was in their belonging as God’s people that the Israelites, working under Nehemiah’s vision, rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem together, leaving a legacy for others. And their legacy protected the “belonging” of future generations.
My personal legacy is lived out through the kingdom community I belong to.
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
Helen Keller
Consider the significance of belonging to a church community and how important it is in your personal life and the legacy you will leave for others. Consider how Jesus described the father’s embrace of the prodigal son in belonging (Luke.15: 11 – 28), even when he had been so rebellious and sinful. Are we allowing ourselves to belong within our church community and are we building safe spaces for prodigal sons and daughters to “come home” because our focus is building a people who belong.
My Prayer Response:
Share with God your gratitude for belonging to Him as His child in His Kingdom.
Confess to your Heavenly Father the things that make you feel unworthy of belonging to Him.
Ask God to help you to accept your belonging and live from His love and not for His approval.
Ask God to help you in building a people who belong with your church community and commit yourself to Him in this journey.
My daily practice:
As someone who belongs to Gods kingdom and is part of our church, think about an individual in our congregation you appreciate.
Pray for them and then send them a message sharing your appreciation for them and encouraging them with a scripture verse or kind words.
Recognize that you are part of something precious.
Remember that your legacy is lived out through this kingdom community you are part of.