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One of my favorite quotes comes from the French writer and aviator, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. He wrote, “If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.”
This quote is a poignant reminder of the power of vision and passion in a person’s life. Many of us want to do great things, and we want our lives to count for something greater than ourselves; but too often, we find ourselves confused, aimless and feeling indifferent.
We were all created for a purpose. In fact, the writer of Ecclesiastes said that God has put “eternity in the hearts of men” (Ecc 3:11). There is a deep longing and hunger for things that are eternal. This is why our souls have an insatiable craving for God, who is the “eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God” (1 Ti 1:17).
As we get connected to God, we will inevitably want to be linked with His purposes.
It is unavoidable.
If we want to accomplish and fulfill God’s purposes here on earth, then we will have to participate with what God is doing with His Church. The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians says, “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Eph 3:10-11).
When the Church does what it is called to do, then God’s eternal purpose, which he accomplished in Christ, will be on display.
So now the question is, “What is the Church called to do?” More specifically, “What is God calling HMCC to do in this generation?” This is what all the pastors, in all the various HMCC sites will be sharing about this coming Sunday. It is the 2020 Vision Sunday.
I am excited to share about what God has placed in our hearts to do, as a church for the next 10 years. Even though we have a clear vision, it is crucial that we are constantly listening and discerning the will of God every step of the way. I am praying that God would put a longing in our hearts “for the endless immensity of the sea.” As we build God’s Church, it is not just about the tasks and doing things, but rather we are hoping that there will be a desire for God’s eternal purposes to be accomplished in our lifetime. And ultimately, it will all be for His glory.
It will not be easy. Moreover, there will be challenges along the way, but I am reminded of what Hudson Taylor said, “Unless there is the element of extreme risk in our exploits for God, there is no need for faith.”
Lord, increase our faith so that we can step out in obedience.