The Commitment to Belong: 5 Keys to Thriving in Community

The Commitment to Belong: 5 Keys to Thriving in Community

by | Jun 14, 2018 | Doing a DTS: Things to Know, The Things We've Learned

I have learned that belonging is not something that happens to you; it is a commitment you make to the community God draws you toward. We are each called to belong.

In John 17:22, Jesus is praying for His disciples and for all future believers, “…That they may be one as we are one—I in them and You in Me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me.”

To belong is the greatest desire Jesus has always had for you.


“It Is Not Good To Be Alone.”

God had a pattern with making the universe: create things, and then take a step back to look it over and remark proudly, “It is good.” But He broke the pattern when He created man and then saw that he was the only human that existed. He said about Adam’s lonely state in Genesis 2, “It is not good for man to be alone.” We would think that Adam was the last person in humanity to need another person in his life—he had God as his constant companion! Why on earth would he need people? God knew, however, that because Adam was made in the image of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, he was created for more than just one relationship. God decided to make more people to connect not only with Himself, but with each other, because multiple kinds of connections would let us experience the full range of His love. Full connection with God looks like becoming a part of His family—and as we read through the Bible about the ways He commands us to love each other, we see that He believes this is a choice we can make.

 

What If God Was Right?

What if we were not meant to simply wish we belonged, but it is a reality He has been inviting us into? Maybe the seemingly impossible accomplishment of belonging is more of a choice than we realize; perhaps we can commit to this rather than wait for it to happen to us. Some of us have spent years wanting to belong with a group of people, only to be hurt by others and left with wounds that work to hinder us from having meaningful relationships. But God is the healer of all hurts, even social ones, and this is a healing we actually can choose to receive. From the very beginning, He has created us to belong with Him and others, and to thrive in that belonging. Relationship is a gift from Him!

So how do reach that place where we belong and then thrive within that? Before anything else, we have to set aside the victim mentality and go after the mind of Christ. For some of us, this means maturing beyond the allure of being a misunderstood loner; for others, it means setting aside the self-pity of being always surrounded but always alone. I have lived on both sides of this scenario and have discovered that these two approaches to relationships are, at their core, a fear of man. But what if I told you that God did not actually create any personality to function out of fear this way? That for even the most introverted character, or the most left-out extrovert, He did create you to belong in other people’s lives?

 

1. Committing to Belong

Here are five personal commitments to belong I have learned from living in both a YWAM community, and most recently in a more widespread environment that requires more intentional relationship-building. Make these commitments to yourself and to the community God is drawing you toward; not only to belong, but to help others belong as well. We live in a world of lost people aching for true connection but addicted to media-driven comparison and loneliness. This is how the body of Christ shines in a world bombarded by false connections: as a family that invites others into our lives to experience real, God-intended belonging.

Commit to fellowship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

This daily commitment must always come before any other. Intimacy with God fills the deepest longing for connection in our heart and is central to every other part of our relational world. Jonathan Helser says, “The God that you see is the man or woman you will be.” If we know who He truly is, then we will know who we truly are. We will not need to look to outside sources such as relationships and accomplishments to reveal our identity because we will already be affirmed by the Father. He longs to grow us into a place where we can be in constant, open conversation with His Spirit. Fear, insecurity, and loneliness melt when His voice chases every other voice away inside of us. Even if He is your only friend right now, you already belong.

 

2. Commit to personal wholeness: healing, growth, and maturity. 

Matthew 22:39 says, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” We are actually called to love ourselves, not neglect what’s happening on the inside! If our ability to love others as ourselves is hindered by memories and fears that have wounded us, often wounds from other people, there is just the person for the job. You are so important to Jesus that He sent a friend, the Holy Spirit, to help you become whole. It is His relational commitment to you. Invite the Holy Spirit into your inner world: the conversations you have with yourself, the hurts from your past, the way you see yourself, others, and the Father. Watch how He not only takes you through His process of healing you from the inside, but brings you even further on a journey of growing into a place of maturity where you become like Him in the way you build relationships on the outside. This is how we love ourselves: we allow God to act on His commitment to our wholeness. Then we will no longer belong to the affirmation of others and feel empty inside when we do not receive it. Instead, we will be restored, guided, and empowered by the thoughts of God to be fully ourselves.

3. Commit to trust and to be trustworthy.

From infancy, the foundation of human relationship has always been trust. A community of people that trust one another is a people that are unified in openness and love. This commitment will require you to be vulnerable with some and honest with all. Seek out relationships with other Christians who you can trust processing your heart with, and do the same for them. Ask God to put mentors in your life who have wisdom and experience to counsel you in the steps you are taking toward your relationships, and ask Him for deep friendships where you can open up your heart to people who will cheer you on rather than tear you down.

Be willing to trust the people He places in your life, and be trustworthy in return! This does not mean you expect yourself to be perfect, but to be worthy of trust. Honor your commitments to your relationships; learn how to have healthy conflict and approach relationship blocks head-on rather than gossiping or letting problems grow ignored beneath the surface. Focus on creating a culture in your fellowship with people that allows trust to be at its center. Knowing we can trust and be trusted is one of the fullest ways we feel that we belong. 

4. Commit to having a heart of humility.

Jesus’ life on earth in the Gospels is the model for thriving in every area of our lives, especially when we are in community. Everything He did for His friends, He did out of love, as a servant, and then commanded us to do the same. Humility teaches us how to be comfortable when we are by ourselves and to approach our relationships without an agenda of receiving, but rather an agenda of giving. Have you noticed that we are most often drawn to people who are confident enough in who they are that they can enjoy being around us without the fear of rejection or the need to always be needed? The root of true confidence like this is the kind of humility Jesus displayed toward others. It dissolves so many relationship barriers and broadens our perspective of our role in people’s lives. Choose to discover how God’s calling on your life is not intended for you, but for the benefit of others. You will find out what He has created you to do, that no one else can do, when you choose to belong in a way that is selfless.

5. Commit to intentional relationships.

This final commitment will require you to have the courage to reach out. Choose to come out of retreat mode and the mentality that your most meaningful relationships will simply happen to you; this approach to community is a lesser version of ourselves that eventually leads to isolation and believing the lie that we are unwanted and invisible. You don’t have to know everyone, but you need to get to know someone. As your journey toward personal wholeness allows you to become your true, God-given self, let Him excitedly challenge you to be brave enough to love others in the same way. Look for people who may be outsiders wanting to belong in your community. Invite them into your circle; if you don’t have a circle, perhaps this is how God wants you to create one. Call out the gold you see inside of their personality and their story—being part of a family means being intentional about letting no one who enters your sphere feel left out. Reach out to the ones you admire for their confidence, their ability to make friends easily, rather than distancing yourself out of comparison or self-doubt. Take small steps to be intentional in your relationships and let the Holy Spirit guide you from there.

Intentional, healthy relationships are possible for even the most insecure or socially-wounded of us, because Jesus, the healer of your heart and the Creator of connection, lives inside of you. He makes you able to be more than you are and will empower you to make an impact in the lives of others in a way that shows them they are loved, valued, and wanted in the family of Christ.

Right in this moment, how can you choose to belong?
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11 Things to Know Before You Do Your DTS Outreach

11 Things to Know Before You Do Your DTS Outreach

by | Jun 8, 2018 | Doing a DTS: Things to Know, The Things We've Learned, Uncategorized

1. Your Expectations Will Be Shattered

Sometimes we don’t realize we have expectations until they become unmet. Luckily, God’s ways are higher than our own and transcend our own understanding. Over the course of outreach, some of the biggest testimonies will come from moments when you least expect it! Keep your eyes open and your heart set on God! He is still moving no matter what.

 

2. Communication is Key

Outreach can be stretching at times, emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Luckily, you’ll be surrounded by a team of people who care about you and your well-being! Vulnerability and openness open heaven, be honest with your team, and don’t be afraid process everything that’s been going on often.

3. 8 Weeks Goes By In The Blink of an Eye

Did it even happen? Now that I am back in America, outreach feels like a dream. Time flies when you’re  doing The Lord’s work! So BE PRESENT! Enjoy and savor each and every moment of radical living for The Lord. DTS is such a unique season of being poured into as you pour into the World!

4. God Will Show Up

Sometimes, even our weakest ‘yes’ to The Lord’s call is all He needs to work wonders! YWAM Founder, Loren Cunningham, teaches the importance of laying down our own rights and picking up the cross. Outreach is the perfect season to begin fully walking in that way of life! Even when you don’t expect it, have faith that God is using your very presence to shift atmospheres and change lives! We saw healing, miracles, salvations and so many divine appointments – don’t doubt that he wont use you powerfully!

5. Quiet Times Are Critical

During your lecture phase, you’re surrounded by people always ready to pour into you. Outreach is a time when you get to pour out of what you’ve received. Dates with Jesus have never been more important. Make sure you let Jesus fill you up. Everyday. When you feel cranky, dysfunctional, offended, anxious, or even like you need a nap – you probably just need a quiet time! Talk to your best friend about everything – He knows you best anyway!

6. Team Turns To Family

 On outreach, it doesn’t take long for your team to turn into family when you are doing everything together! And I mean EVERYTHING. At one point we didn’t even have a proper door to our only bathroom. There’s nothing like having breakfast to the sound of a teammate throwing up. But seriously, there is nothing like getting to know people as intensely as you do when you are on outreach together. Choose it! Love it! I promise you, you’ll miss it!

7. Less is More

Oh, the mysteries of packing. Less is more; I’ve learned this the hard way! With an overflowing backpack that had to be repacked for every one of our 14 flights, the mystery was solved! Less IS more! You’re supposed to use the same t-shirt three days in a row or every third day if you prefer. So ditch the extra clothes, and leave room for the souvenirs. You won’t use those jeans, or the extra pair of shoes, or even that Costco-sized shampoo bottle. 

8. Culture Shock Happens

It’s really easy to get into your own habits and ways of life in the comfort of your home countries. Once that rhythm gets thrown out of whack, sometimes it’s easy to shut off and shut down. Again, communication with your teammates if you’re feeling culture-shocked is the way to go! Also, find simple ways to connect with the country you are in; let yourself fall in love with the food, and do your best to listen and make connections with locals! Be aware of reverse culture-shock when you get home. Find people to talk to that understand what you have gone to – and be grateful that you have gone through the experiences you’ve been through.

9. Learn to Lead and Be Led

YWAM entirely is rooted upon championing young people to step into their callings. During outreach, it’s important to surrender and trust your leaders with important decisions. But, you’ll also get the opportunity to step into leadership through encouraging for motivating your team. Don’t gossip, don’t be offended, and trust that the Holy Spirit is moving through everyone on your team and your leaders!

10. Boldness Brings Breakthrough

“Since we have this confidence, we can also have great boldness before him, for if we ask anything agreeable to his will, he will hear us.” (1 John 5:14 TPT)

God always has His ear tuned upon our wants and desires, but sometimes He asks us to step out of our comfort zone, be bold and trust His plan! You’ll see the most breakthrough over outreach when you step out in boldness! Obedience + boldness = a success outreach!

11. It’s Not About You

Let God shape your heart, and reveal Himself through you to the rest of the World. A nice bed? Healthy meals? Good team dynamics? Successful ministry? Good instagram pictures? Decent wifi? Is that what you need to serve the Lord joyfully? When you have every comfort taken from you, you really get to know if Jesus is your everything.  After all, it’s not an “in-reach”, it’s an outreach. 

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What is Evangelism? | Turkey Outreach Testimonies

What is Evangelism? | Turkey Outreach Testimonies

by | May 23, 2018 | Outreach Updates, Testimonies

This week, our Turkey team has been out and about sharing the good news of the Gospel, seeing God’s hand move hearts and minds to salvation in faith, healings and miracles. This is despite facing strict restrictions as to what they can say and do in the refugee camp where they spend most of their time.

The team packs food for Syrian refugees and then distributes the sacks of food along with sanitary necessities such as pads, diapers, baby wipes, and milk at the refugee camp. A government worker is tasked to accompany them to ensure that the team sticks to their given job of distributing supplies only. The Gospel could not be shared verbally. Keep on reading to hear testimonies from their week!

“Every week we have the opportunity to pack food for Syrian refugees and then distribute the sacks at the refugee camps. Even though we are not allowed to share the gospel with the refugees we are confident that the generosity and care we show towards them will give them a glimpse of Jesus. Even just a smile can have a huge impact on these people who live lives that seem so void of joy at times. Since visiting the refugee camps, I have gained a new perspective on what it means to feed the hungry. Sometimes it seems like we are not doing much for the Kingdom because we are prohibited from telling the refugees about the Gospel. However, God has recently reminded me through Habakkuk 1:5 that we do not always know what He is doing and how He is using us for His glory. “Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.”  – Alizabeth

“We were out doing street evangelism when we randomly stopped to talk to three young men. It turned out that they were all Iranian, and one of them was actually a believer. The other did not have any specific beliefs, and the last was a Muslim. We went for tea with them and talked for over an hour. We asked them if they had any pain in their bodies that we could pray for; the Muslim man said he had pain in his neck and back. We prayed for him and Jesus healed him. He was incredibly stunned and didn’t even know what to say in response to this miracle. Later on, he called his mother who was in Iran and we got to pray for her over FaceTime. Jesus healed her head and her shoulder, much to both her excitement and her son’s. The next day, the man who said he held no religious affiliation asked us if we could come to the hospital and pray for his friend who had been in a motorcycle accident. We got to pray for him and also share the Gospel for over an hour with them. The injured man was not receptive, but the man who had brought us there was listening intently the whole time. After we left the hospital, he said that he had been reading the New Testament we had given him the day before and that he really liked everything in it. He then asked us how he could become a Christian! We talked with him a little longer and then he prayed to accept Christ into his life right there on the side of the road. He is now connected with the local Iranian church.”  – Allan

Either way, no matter the method of sharing Jesus or perceived restrictions we face or give ourselves, we can be sure that God is at work and He has the power to affect hearts, renew minds and open eyes in ways we cannot see or imagine possible in normal human logic.

The foundation of evangelism is pouring out love to others. Though we may face fear that hinders the sharing of the Good News, we are reminded time and again through testimonies that Jesus is attractive and very much needed in lives! We are His image-bearers, we are a reflection of who God is in all we say and do.

Jesus said in John 5:19, that He only does what He sees His Father do. The Son of Man can do nothing of His own accord. As we serve in seemingly small or perceived big ways, be encouraged that God sees our hearts and faithfulness. He is the one who would bring to life and fruition the work He has called us to do with our hands.

His love for His lost sons and daughters is greater than the compassion we have for them. Smile to show love at all times and present the Good News when opportunities arise!

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Love is a Verb

Love is a Verb

by | May 21, 2018 | Inspiring Stories, The Things We've Learned, Uncategorized

I have a confession to make. 

As a people-pleaser, I can have a really hard time saying no to people looking for my yes. When well-meaning family, friends, roommates or coworkers ask me to do something, how can I possibly say no?

“Can you come help out at this social event where you will undoubtedly feel awkward and weird?” YES

“Can you take on this extra work assignment that stresses you out and that you have zero time for?” OF COURSE.

“Can you do this last-minute thing for me that you actually have no idea how to do?” ABSOLUTELY.

But even if you’re a greater rebel than me (or just have a little more balance in your life), it can be even harder to say no to ministry… what feels like saying no to Jesus.

“Can you serve in the nursery even though you don’t like kids?” OK.

“Can you set up at church? And tear down? And run sound? And lead worship?” YES. YES. YES.

But even if we’re always saying yes, is it out of joy to love and serve Jesus and His people? Or is it out of guilt, a feeling of obligation? Is it from fear that if we say no, we’ll get on God’s “bad side,” that He won’t love us anymore?

I desire to live a life pleasing to God, to live like Jesus… I even give Him my yes, but I often struggle to give Him my yes from a place of love—loving Him and knowing He’ll STILL love me even if I sometimes say no.

Recently, I was taking an afternoon run around my neighborhood when Jesus asked for my yes.

A half block ahead of me, I noticed a man with a walker in the distance. I ran into the street to give Him more room, and I smiled at him as we passed. His face lit up and he even paused his shuffle down the sidewalk to smile at me.

But I kept running.

This was inconvenient. Seeing a “lame man” when you’re filled with God’s Spirit and His power to pray for people to be healed can really get in the way of your workout. I didn’t say this to God, but what I did next communicated the same message.

“Lord, touch him and heal him,” I sent up a little prayer, just something to check “praying for the sick” off my good Christian girl to-do list for the day.

With each breath and stride I took though, the man’s face continued to fill my mind, along with a string of what if’s. What if God wanted to use me to heal him? What if I ignored the feeling? What if the man wasn’t healed because I didn’t say yes to God calling me back to pray?

Of course, God could heal Him without any help from me, I reasoned. He’s God! A true statement—but another truth is that God gives us a heart and soul, in addition to a rational mind, to guide our actions.

Pause. Pray. Love. This was the Father’s invitation.

I turned around, starting a slow and hesitant jog back in the man’s direction. By now, he was in the middle of the street, slowly hobbling to the other side. Another inconvenience. “NO. I can’t stop him THERE!” I reasoned with the Lord. So I waited till he was safely back on the sidewalk. Then I ran. I didn’t actually know what I’d say when I faced him.

“Excuse me,” I said. He didn’t hear me at first. “Excuse me!” I said, a little louder. He hustled to the side, thinking I wanted to pass, and I felt bad for startling him.

Now I was REALLY feeling uncomfortable. “I hope this isn’t weird,” I began, huffing and sweating from sprinting toward him.“Do you believe in prayer for healing?”

“Well, yeah!” the man replied. Wow. Was this really going to be THAT easy?

I asked him what had happened, gesturing to the brace on his back and the walker before him. He shared about old football injuries, a collapsed disc, twenty years of chronic pain. As I listened, he shared even more—how he felt stuck at home, unable to work… struggling to be patient and hopeful. His doctor had told him it could take 9 months to a year for him to be totally healed.

I listened. And by listening, I loved. Then, I asked if I could pray. God’s grace saturated that sidewalk, and the man was so open and willing.

I prayed for his healing, for peace and patience, for the Lord’s presence to be with him during his recovery. “In Jesus’ name,” I said, and we shook hands. I buzzed with the exhilaration of saying yes to God. But I thought that was it.

Then the man asked, “Can I… can I have a hug?”

Without hesitation, I said YES.

As I hugged him, I felt the Lord filling me with an even greater measure of love for this man, using me as the arms of Jesus to embrace my neighbor with the Father’s love. All along I’d felt a sense of duty to pray for him, when really the Lord just asked me to say yes to love.

Then the man said something surprising. “You know, I’ve been thinking about God a lot lately… and then you came along.”

God delights in our obedience, but it isn’t His end goal. It’s our love. Jesus tells his disciples, “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me” (John 14:21). Saying yes to God shows we trust Him. Obedience is the evidence of our love.

Knowing He loves us, we’re empowered to love Him right back, even when obedience demands our all. Secure in the Father’s love, Jesus gave the hardest yes to give. The Father asked His Son to give up His life as a sacrifice for the sins of all humanity. Jesus’ response? “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matt. 26:39). Jesus’ loving obedience—a love that loves to the point of death—is a demonstration and declaration that His Father is a good Father we can trust and follow.

Saying yes becomes a whole lot easier when we know we’re loved. We say yes, not because of what it will do for us, but because of what Love Himself has already done. Love is a verb.

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Our God has Eyes and Ears | Outreach Healing Testimony

Our God has Eyes and Ears | Outreach Healing Testimony

by | May 9, 2018 | Outreach Updates, Testimonies

Two of our outreach teams recently were apart of the Islamic festival in Turkey, that happens once every year. Our teams had the opportunity to pray and share the love of Jesus to thousands of Muslims that were there. Our teams witness many healings! Keep on reading to hear one of their crazy testimonies!

“We had an awesome opportunity to come alongside hundreds of other believers on an island in Turkey! Every year on April 23rd, upwards of 100,000 Muslims come to this island to climb to the top of a large hill to pray in desperate hopes their prayers would be answered. We lined the path leading up the hill with booths set up for Henna tattoos, healing, worship, prayer and blessings.

Our group set up at the very top of the hill. The amount of people around us was insane. We had prayed intensely before hand that God would reveal Himself through signs and wonders — AND HE DELIVERED. The spirit of The Lord was so present, and The Father was revealing Himself through healings. We held up a sign in Turkish that translates to, “do you need a miracle?” and hundreds of people responded! We got to pray for about 150 people and saw upwards of 70 healings! One of which was a young-teenage Turkish girl who was brought to us by her mother. Her mother began to tell us that her daughter was mute and couldn’t speak. We knew The Father wanted to heal her and after we prayed for a few moments, said amen, and asked how she was feeling, the girl uttered in Turkish, “I’m okay” for the first time. Her mother jumped up with so much enthusiasm after witnessing her daughter’s healing and quickly asked us to bless her as well!

We saw the mute speak, knees healed, backs healed, migraines healed, but overall, lost and hopeless hearts were able to be reminded that they are so loved by a Father who hears our prayers wherever we may be, and in the kingdom of God, there is no striving, we don’t have to climb to the top of a STEEP hill to reach Him because He is already by our side.”

– Explorer’s Outreach team

How good is our God! It’s so comforting to be reminded that you don’t have to strive to reach God but that He is by your side always. Our God is living and He is just waiting for your ‘Yes’ and step in obedience. By stepping out in faith and trusting God our students saw the young teenage Turkish girl healed from muteness. This miracle not only changed her life but planted a desire in her mother’s heart to ask for more in her own life. What else would God be able to do if we were defined by His character and not our circumstances?

It’s not about your ability to pray, it’s knowing Jesus’ ability to answer. Our God has eyes and ears! He knows and understands, He sees and hears everything that everyone in the world is going through! You have access to the keys to unlock healings and miracles – because you have access to the Father!

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