Chip In

Have you ever wanted or needed something so bad you could taste it, but you knew you didn't have the resources to get it, to make it happen? Maybe as a kid, like me, you got your friends together and you all chipped in to buy a skate board or a bike or even a lawn mower. You did that so you could enjoy, experience or even earn what one could person could not by themselves. As I was S.O.A.P.ing up this morning in Acts 2:41-47 it just hit me! Why would people sell their stuff and collectively "chip in" to the pot except that they wanted, needed, desired something so bad that they were willing to cooperate and collaborate with others to make the impossible happen.

I am so excited about what God is doing in my life, my community, my church. As we have been going through our Live Out Loud campaign my feelings have only intensified. Like most of you reading this blog who are members of The Fellowship at Cinco Ranch, there are somethings that I want so desperately that I am willing to sacrifice to see them happen. I want so desperately for our teenagers to have place to bring their friends, a place for them grow in their relationship with Christ, a place they can call their own. I want so desperately to make room for the many families in our community who need hope in their lives, marriages and families, who need to know that they matter to God. I want so desperately to make room for children who are beginning their spiritual journey with that child like faith that Jesus spoke of, to expand our capacity to reach them at the earliest age. I want so desperately for the men and women, boys and girls of our community to know the eternal love of Jesus Christ, to know that they matter to God ... but we can't do it by ourselves, we need each other. That's why God made the church and gave her the message of reconciliation. That's why God knits our hearts together in a compelling and shared vision of transforming lives, families, communities and even countries.

When we all desire to see the same thing happen, when we all want our neighbors, friends, family members to experience what we have experienced in and through Christ, then we are ready to "chip in" time, talents and yes, even treasures to make an eternal difference.

These last few weeks I have seen just that, an uncommon unity, an uncommon generosity! A people who desire to give what they have to make a difference by building a Community center as a tool for meeting needs, sharing love and reaching out to families throughout our city. As we "chip in" the impossible becomes possible and God's people are Living Out Loud lives that shout his love.

Until tomorrow ... Live Out Loud