Have you ever tried lighting birthday candles with matches? It's a race against time before the match burns out. With a lighter, however, you have a continuous flame. A match is limited, while a lighter has a longer-lasting purpose.
Finding Your Fuel
This brings up a deeper question: What ignites your purpose? What motivates you and keeps you…
Caring for Children: Is it about giving them the American dream, or having them support you in old age, or is there a wider calling?
Learning: Is it just for a diploma, or is there a wider use of your training?
Maintaining a Home: Is it just for shelter, or does it exist for something more?
Working: Is it just about money and status, or does your job have a wider purpose?
Living: Why do you continue to live, eat, and take care of yourself, even in old age? Is it merely to avoid pain, or is there a wider purpose driving you?
Participating: For those who belong to a church, what keeps you participating? Is it tradition, social ties, or a wider purpose?
Lasting Purpose
Many purposes, while good, are limited. A family, education, home, and job are beneficial but often only impact a few. Participating in a church community is valuable, but its full potential is reached when it benefits more than just yourself.
In a world separated from the life of God, whom gave everything it’s original purpose, we’re tempted to chase lesser goals that can't fully satisfy. This is like trying to light many candles with one match. Each purpose flames out, leaving us wanting more.
A Wider Calling
As much as we might sense our individual purpose from God, what about our purpose as a worshiping community? Over the past few months, the CCC leadership team has been dreaming and seeking Jesus for the broader purpose God may have for the Clarence Church of Christ in the coming years, beyond our current activities. Paul’s testimony in 1 Corinthians 9 offers a spark of imagination for what this broader purpose could be.
In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul shares that he found a lasting purpose in God's mission of redeeming the world and guiding everyone he encountered to abundant life in Jesus. This purpose goes beyond personal gain and comfort, offering a challenging yet enduring and eternally impactful mission. Paul's purpose wasn't just a program in addition to the rest of his life. No. Paul's purpose was a way of life. The way of Jesus' life fueled his purpose in all he did.
Paul's testimony provides a framework for a broader purpose that we too could more fully embrace as a church in Western New York — the vision and mission of this church involved in guiding all people within our sphere of influence to experience abundant life in Jesus. Paul found this purpose to be lasting and impactful, and we believe it can shape how we step further into a more enduring and impactful purpose as a church in the coming years.
What Ignites Your Purpose?
Are you seeking purpose with fuel that will burn out quickly? Or are you seeking purpose with fuel that will burn for a long time and make a great impact for God’s eternal kingdom?
Jesus ignited Paul’s purpose. What ignites yours?
Below, see further CCC updates and resources for participating in the body of Christ and God’s mission.
Continue to trust that God is present and active. See you Sunday if not before then!
Starting this Sunday, July 7th, we will begin a new series called Ordered: God’s Order for Living and Worship, exploring God’s revealed order for living and worship as given in 1 Corinthians 10-16. This series will run through July and August. This Sunday, we’ll reflect on an overall life of worship and the impact it brings to other areas of life. Read ahead and prepare yourself to hear how God’s Spirit will be calling you to respond in obedience to his word.
Join us in hosting a fun, four-day, Bible, mystery-themed experience – helping kids (PreK to 5th grade) explore some big questions about God. Volunteers needed for set-up, registration, tech support, group guides, general assistance, cleanup, and more. Contact Alexandra Fish to get involved and help kids discover the abundant life God has for them!
To our sisters in Christ, we pray you are well and looking forward to the Ladies Retreat. We are looking forward to presenting it to you. Our speaker will be Suzanne Bracci, a Christian Life Coach and author from Western New York. Reserve the dates of September 13-14, 2024 to attend. We want each of you to know that God loves you, has given you gifts you may not be aware of, or as our kids mature, our purpose changes. These times can be scary and/or frustrating and Suzanne will speak to us on Saturday of our uniqueness as women of God in the Scriptures and putting on the Mindset of Christ. Registration fees are as follows. If possible please register and send to Mountainview Christian Camp, c/o Sharon Schmaltz, Registrar, 7240 Dryer Road, Victor, NY 14564 (registration form enclosed): $35 Weekend, $20 Friday, $20 Saturday. As always, there will be a registration table at the camp if you come in later at camp. ALL LADIES 18 YEARS AND OLDER ARE WELCOME. There will be music, fun and catching up with friends we haven’t seen. Save the date now! It can be a great time to decompress after all the preparation to send our children to school as well as a time for the kids to bond with Dad for 24 hours. Please consider the benefits of taking time out to be rejuvenated with other sisters in Christ and to commune with our Heavenly Father. September is a wonderful time to do that before the Fall schedules return to normal. Please feel free to contact Valerie Hubert with any questions.