As a child, I purposely scattered certain toys. Playing the game of pickup sticks, I scattered sticks before me on the floor. I especially liked the game of ball and jacks. I cupped jacks in my hand before scattering them below. At times, God’s people scatter.

“As a shepherd cares for his flock on a day when he is among his scattered sheep, so I will care for My sheep and will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and gloomy day (Ezekiel 34:12 NASB).”

God’s purpose of church growth involved scattering. Persecution propelled followers of the Way.

“Now Saul approved of putting Stephen to death.

And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles. Some devout men buried Stephen, and mourned loudly for him. But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house; and he would drag away men and women and put them in prison (Acts 8:1-3 NASB).”

I love my church family; yet; we’re in danger of becoming too comfortable within walls of our building. It’s time to scatter; GO!

“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:18-20 NASB).”