Have you noticed how basic home design has transformed in the last 10-20 years? Front porches have gotten smaller and patios and fenced-in back yards have grown larger. It is possible to come home from a day out in the world, remotely open your garage door, pull in, and close the door behind you...all without interacting with your neighbors next door, or across the street. It is a growing trend...notably, more significant among Millennials in their 30s. A survey by the Ownerly Team revealed some interesting results:
What is the significance? People have a decreasing sense of community in our culture. At the writing of this post, we are emerging (hopefully) from a worldwide pandemic that has kept people in lockdown for months...isolating us from neighbors, friends and family. This survey was done just prior to the beginning of the pandemic...I wonder what the numbers would look like after a year of isolation and social distancing? There was a day when the sense of community was woven into the fabric of our lives. Neighbors would sit together on their porches and share stories of the day. Kids would play in the street or gather in a neighbor's yard for a friendly game of baseball or hide-n-seek. It was not unusual for a family to leave their doors unlocked when they left home for a few hours, because they trusted one another and everyone looked out for their neighbors. Any parent in the neighborhood could parent, correct and guide any child in their yard or home...everyone felt they were a part of a community. ![]() Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash God has created us for community. Think about His nature and character, as reflected in who He is and how he has worked to accomplish His plan.
This only scratches the surface, but I think it is clear that God values relationship and community. He is a God of relationship and He has called us to enjoy and thrive in community. We are at our best when we are together...better together. Many of the struggles of our world can be traced to the division that comes through hatred, distrust and fear. The opposite is also true. When the people of God come together and selflessly love one another and those around them, God does some amazing things to heal and redeem his fallen creation. It only stands to reason that God would use community in our lives to help us understand and pursue His purpose for us. That is the reason we have established Purposed 365 as a community of encouragement and inspiration! We are better together! Here are a few reasons why we believe engaging in relational community is valuable in living our purpose. The Value of Relationship in Living Our Purpose
Maybe tonight, as you drive in from your long day at work, park in the driveway. Get out of the car and walk across the street...introduce yourself to your name, and start working on learning those names. You never know when you may meet a friend that will become your Paul, Barnabas or Timothy. So, go ahead...step into community...into relationships that will enhance and facilitate your pursuit of your God-given purpose. Allow the voice and partnership of others help you fulfill a life that you may never know otherwise. Live purposed in community! Who is speaking into your life? Where do you find partnerships in pursuing your purpose? How have you benefitted from community? Like, share and start a conversation in the comments...we need one another!
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AuthorWith over forty years of ministry experience, Randy Kinnick continues to live a life of pursuing the purpose for which he was created. Whether teaching God's Word to adults, coaching youth and young adults in finding their purpose, or caring for the hurting and abused in Southeast Asia, the adventure has taken him around the world in ways he could have never dreamed. The adventure continues! Archives
February 2023
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