"Why?" We've all asked this question when pain jolts us. We feel helpless and crushed. We look for immediate relief. Sometimes at any cost.

But what if we were able to see God's purposes in spite of our pain? Even more, what if we learned to see pain as God's instrument to bring out his purposes in our lives, to bring into a fuller view his beauty, his ways, his love for us, and his care for the whole world?

Would you feel valued if a treasured friend told you that every time she prayed she mentioned your name to God? Would you feel celebrated if this person told you that with each thought and prayer about you she felt joy? What if you were hurting and a brother you really respect put his arm over your shoulder and told you that he'll be with you every step of the way and, no matter what, he knows that God won't let you falter? And what if he told you that he yearns for you with the affection of Christ and he's not embarrassed to say it because that's how Jesus loves him?Welcome to the bible's vision for life as the church and welcome to the Letter of Paul to the Philippians.

Stories of life. They are full of good, bad, and ugly. We all have stories. If saved by the gospel, circled by community, and sent with a mission, our stories will make sense, Jesus will be glorified, and people in our path can be renewed. Today we will look at life’s story through the lens of the gospel, community, and mission and better understand that our stories matter to God and to other people.