Purpose

"We will see a purpose for our lives that transcends the country and culture we live in, and we will see our desperate need for His presence to fulfill that purpose in us. We will discover that our meaning is found in community and our life is found in giving ourselves for the sake of others in the church, among the lost, and among the poor."  - Radical by David Platt

There is something that happens in community that can not happen any place else. Our rough edges rub against the rough edges of others, and, somehow, what is exposed is not only our weakness, but also our strength, and, often, our passions.

We learn what makes us tick and what makes our blood boil.

We start to learn why God put us, as a specific individual, here on the planet, in the place that He put us, and at the time that He did. (Partially because we begin to realize how very not-like-any-other-person we are!) It can be hard, but the end results are worth it.

It's worth it to step out far enough to see what God has for us.

And, just in case you missed it. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE PERFECT. God seems to like using messed up people. I'm exhibit A. He knows we have rough edges. He's okay with that.