Homecoming: Imagine the Possibilities

The greatest challenge we face in building deep, meaningful relationships and community with others is our own independence. We love to live life on our own terms. However, God has put us into a world where lasting happiness and fulfillment can only be realized in context to interdependence. Consider Romans 12:5 -

“Since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.”

The Bible often refers to our spiritual life as a walk when it says:

Just as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him. (Colossians 2:6-7)

It’s not good to walk alone. Thankfully, we don’t have to. We have the ability to reject independence and embrace interdependence. God had interdependence in mind when He put no less than 30 “one another” scriptures in the New Testament. He knew we needed help on our spiritual journey.

As we allow God to position us within community, we have others to walk with us so we don’t live in loneliness. We have others to work with us so we don’t live in fatigue, as well as others to watch our back so we don’t live in defeat. Finally, we have others to weep with us so we don’t live in despair.

You should be like one big family, full of sympathy toward each other. (1 Peter 3:8)

Not if but when those ‘category five’ storms of life come into our lives, we need people who will stand with us. With each step we take on our spiritual journey towards experiencing authentic community, God calls us to deepen relationships within our church family and reach out to the community around our church family.

“You are standing together side by side with one strong purpose--to tell the
Good News.” (Philippians 1:27)

Sure, God could do this on His own; but He’s decided to do it in partnership with us. He says:

“You have been My partners in spreading the Good News about Christ.” (Philippians 1:5)

You may be wondering, “What can I do to participate in Homecoming?” Not to sound cliché, but in the spirit of our theme, “Imagine the possibilities!” Step away from the crowd and, in this fall season, invest some time in a small group or ministry. People can get lost, hidden, and abandoned in crowds. What God loves to do with crowds is pull out 3, 5, 7, or 10 people and create small groups and safe havens where fragile, broken people like us can be known by name, love and be loved, celebrate and be celebrated; and serve and be served.

Homecoming is a season to invest in the people we love. We can do this by praying together, serving their needs and sharing the good news of what Christ has done for us.

“You are… God's instruments to do His work and speak out for Him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference He made for you” (1 Peter 2:9)

Consider inviting a friend, co-worker or neighbor to an appealing spiritual event, like your life group or a dinner in your home. The woman at the well did this after she had a powerful encounter with Jesus. The bible describes her reaction this way:

Then leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” (John 4:28-30)

And they came out of the town and made their way toward Him. If you read the whole story you will find that the disciples were in the midst of their everyday routine and missed out on this great spiritual event.

Don’t be so busy this fall that you miss out on what God has for you. Explore your home in Christ and your home within the Metro community. Take part in our interactive ministry fair, a one-stop-shop to help you get connected and discover more of your home in Christ. God created Metro for you and with you in mind. We invite you to Homecoming to find out how and where you fit in!

-Jeff Dwiggins