Day 17 – Devoted to One Another

Day 17 – Devoted to One Another

Writer: Ciaran // Divergent Church Canberra - NORTH

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs

performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in

common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42–47

Reflection

You weren’t mean to walk the journey alone….

If someone was to ask me, "What is the recipe for a transformed life?" there are many things I would say but there is one secret ingredient that when I discovered it in my early 20s it changed everything. As a young man riddled with slavery to sin and mastered by my flesh. It was the difference between staying in that place and finding freedom.

It's likely one of the most uncomfortable. It likely comes with the most potential for conflict and disappointment. Sometimes especially when you're down and feeling overwhelmed it can be the last thing you want but thing you need the most.

What is it?

God's people - The Church.

We need family. We need brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers in Christ. We need to eat together, laugh together, cry together and worship God together. We need to open the word together, pray together and tend to each other when in need. We need to lovingly correct, encourage, remind and forgive.

Something that struck me to the core when I first joined Divergent in 2018 at Beach

Getaway was this.... These people really love each other. How will the world know that we are his disciples? By the way we love one another. (See John 13:35)

I'll be honest, I even recently have drifted into a place of me and God vs the

world/struggles/devil. But this individualistic self-focussed way of faith is terrible because we are designed to lean on each other. We will not survive alone. "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2

It says in verse 47 "And the Lord added to their number daily those who are being saved."

When asking Lola who we are as a family. She said, "We love all people." This meant to

me, we don't discriminate, we don't just love those who are the same or are familiar. There are no "cool" kids at divergent and if you think you are then you're not. But for real, it's something I've loved about Divergent is that we are filled with all kinds of people - some more odd than others. Okay I'll stop there.

Will you make room for potentially new friends this year? Particularly new in the faith and welcome them in like family? Let's not stay in cliques - only speaking to those we already know. (Especially when people walk into church the first time.

Have you forgot how scary it can be? Let's welcome people in.)

Let's turn to God and turn to one another.

So here's what I'm doing this year.

1. When I'm struggling, I'm going to reach out for prayer and let people in.

2. In the areas of my life that I am needing wisdom, I am seeking out people who

have that fruit in their life and asking to be mentored. (Don't wait for them)

3. I'm going to continue to prioritise the gathering of God's people week in and week

out – serving and loving. "And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some

people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is

drawing near." Hebrews 10:25

4. When people have needs, I am going to give generously of my time, finances and

food. (Everyone loves a meal train)

5. I'm going to welcome in those who are new and treat them like family.

Prayer:

Father, thank you that you have given me a family in Christ. Thank you for the brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers you’ve surrounded me with in your church. Help me Lord to reach out to others and to make space in my life for them to do the same. Reveal to me Holy Spirit the people you want me to reach out too and what you want me to share. Give me a persevering love for your people and help me to never try to do it alone.

Questions for reflection

1. Who is one person you can reach out to for prayer and to open about your

struggles? Send them a text now.

2. What area of your life do you want to see growth in? Who has fruit in that area?

Contact them asking to catch up for (insert challenge) support this year.

3. How can you use your resources to serve and love others this year?