The Greatest Search

It's Easter weekend, and churches are in a frenzy of events geared toward community and telling the world what Christ accomplished for all of humanity over 2000 years ago and why it matters today. In a couple hours, kids will be scrambling for more candy than they know what to do with, hidden in Easter egg-shaped and sized containers. Tomorrow, the celebration of a risen Savior. And at our church, it kicked off last night, with an intimate gathering of friends and neighbors, for a great time of fellowship and a Christian comedian... for laughter does good like medicine.

We had an absolute riot.

I got to thinking last night, as we left... after my wife and I talked with a friend for quite a while about a matter in our own lives, followed by my touching base with another friend "real quick", just before getting behind the wheel, that there's a difference between the world's sense of community and the church. It's not that one is better, for I know many unsaved people who are, for what it's worth, great people... would give the shirt of their back, help where they can and support you, even when others didn't. And even in church, sadly not every one is like that. I get it.

So, as a disclaimer, I'm incredibly blessed to be a part of a strong, healthy church, that while not perfect,  probably doesn't a number of "issues" that other churches face. I'm sure it's by design, and there's a number of reasons for it, which are worth exploring later... but here's my point.

The community of churches-at-large, care about people to the depth of one's soul.

Yes, they want me to be healthy, but to carry out an eternal purpose. They want me to succeed, but with the intention of using God's blessing to bless others. They want me to have a strong marriage and a healthy family, not just for the sake of my sanity and a retreat in the number of gray hairs; but that we may make an eternal impact in the lives of those we come in contact with on a daily basis. They want what's best for me, not because I'm the greatest guy they've ever met, but because they know that we are designed and created with destiny. Furthermore, they serve to remind me that for all the trouble we face on our earth, this is not our final destination.

This world and all that is in it, is temporary. So what good is the purpose of doing anything, if it doesn't remain after ever last life has passed over into eternity, unless their is something incredibly awaiting in eternity?

What awaits us, is God the Father! What awaits us, is the Son of God. The One whose life we celebrate this weekend, in what He accomplished on our behalf that we may have an eternity worth living for, rather than living with an impending doom. The difference in community is the difference for eternity.

So, pray with me this #communitySaturday, that it would be a day, that as these two communities interact, through kids hunting for eggs and other events, that the world would discover that there is an eternal purpose for life on earth. May peoples' eyes be opened to see and hearts to receive, that an eternal destination of hope & love is available to them through Christ' death and resurrection... that doom and despair is not inevitable. May the community of Christ effectively demonstrate His love this weekend, to those in need of love that lasts beyond our faults and failures. For love that is super-natural. Unconditional. Eternal.

May the community of the unsaved experience Christ in ways beyond what humanity can accomplish on its' own, through the expression of care and concern from the community of the church.

For the glory of God. For the cause of Jesus Christ. For God is not dead. He is surely alive. May many see for themselves.

- PNC

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