How Community Helps Us Step Into God’s Purpose

Matthew 3:13–17 gives us a powerful picture of how God uses community to move us toward the places where transformation happens. Jesus approached the Jordan with purpose, but He did not walk into the water alone. John was there preparing the way, the crowd was present to witness the moment, and the Father’s voice affirmed Him in the company of others. This scene reminds us that even the most sacred steps of obedience often unfold in the presence and support of a “village.”

Many of us can look back and see the people who helped us take our next faithful step. Sometimes it was a parent or grandparent who prayed us through a difficult season. Sometimes it was a friend who encouraged us when we felt unsure. Sometimes it was a church family that held us up when we didn’t have the strength to stand on our own. God places these people in our lives not by accident, but as part of His intentional design for our growth.

This passage also shows us that obedience is not always easy. John hesitated when Jesus approached him for baptism, feeling unworthy of the moment. Yet together they stepped into the water, each playing the role God assigned. Their partnership teaches us that community is not about perfection—it is about walking with one another toward God’s purpose, even when the path feels unfamiliar.

When the heavens opened and the Father spoke, the affirmation was public. God wanted the community to hear His delight. In the same way, God often confirms His work in our lives through the people around us. Their encouragement, prayers, and presence become part of the way God speaks hope into our journey. We are shaped by the voices that remind us who we are and whose we are.

As you reflect on this message, consider the people who have helped you move toward God’s purpose—and the people you may be called to support in the same way. Who is God inviting you to walk alongside as they take their next step toward the “water” in their own life?