The importance of community... time for a lil pontification ;~)
Recently I have been particularly struck by the importance of community and fellowship in our lives. People are designed to thrive in a group setting; it's not that we can't function (and function successfully) independently, but it's the difference (to quote a a good song) "between living and living well." Whatever kind of community you are a part of, you are stronger for having that community. Instead of depending on one person's strength, you have the strength of your companions. Every load is lighter when lain on more shoulders.
I have recently found myself leaning more heavily on my communities than I have in years, and they have been in many ways a life saver for me this past month. I am grateful to be part of a community of equestrians, a community of musicians, a community of Christians, and various other communities of friends. It's been less the sympathy of my friends, and more the empathy of my friends, that has helped me to deal with the many tragedies I have recently faced; the kind of empathy you can only get from a community of similarly minded individuals sharing a common bond and a common goal.
Tonight I was most recently struck by my community of faith. Although it is not a uniquely Christian trait, it is such a typically Christian characteristic to express love for a stranger; it's a kind of love that is rarely seen outside of a Christian community. I understand now more than ever why God calls us to fellowship in a church environment... Yes, you can be singular in your faith and live and worship as an individual, but what you miss is the strength of a group of individuals who will love you and support you both in your time of joy and in your time of need. These are people who will pray with you and, more importantly, on your behalf. It is one thing to go to God yourself in prayer, it is another thing entirely when people are willing to pray over you and lift up your needs, asking for God's blessing without any kind of selfish intent. There is a safety and security that comes from being a part of a group of people who are willing to both hold you accountable in your walk and yet also be a support for you. That willingness to sacrifice for a stranger... It is rare indeed to find that outside of a community of faith.
Of course, just as there are broken people in this world, so are there broken communities; communities who have also been consumed by greed or pride or anger. It breaks my heart to see people who have been broken by a community they believed to be a safe place for them; to see people who have been so let down by those in whom they have placed their trust. These circumstances lead to such distrust and judgment, and it is easy to understand why so many people would like to point fingers and cry 'hypocrisy.' It is a shame how the few can ruin a reputation for the many. It seems only negative press attracts any kind of attention. For all the good that the church does, the only notice it gets is when it makes a very human mistake. As Christians, we don't claim to be perfect - we simply claim to be very broken people who are striving to better ourselves by modeling Christ's example. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Romans 3:23); "What then? Are we better than they? Not at all...." (Romans 3:9). As a community, we can help one another to achieve these goals that are greater than ourselves.
Tonight I will simply be grateful for the strangers who have shown love for me, and recognize my responsibility for the people who may yet need me.
I have recently found myself leaning more heavily on my communities than I have in years, and they have been in many ways a life saver for me this past month. I am grateful to be part of a community of equestrians, a community of musicians, a community of Christians, and various other communities of friends. It's been less the sympathy of my friends, and more the empathy of my friends, that has helped me to deal with the many tragedies I have recently faced; the kind of empathy you can only get from a community of similarly minded individuals sharing a common bond and a common goal.
Tonight I was most recently struck by my community of faith. Although it is not a uniquely Christian trait, it is such a typically Christian characteristic to express love for a stranger; it's a kind of love that is rarely seen outside of a Christian community. I understand now more than ever why God calls us to fellowship in a church environment... Yes, you can be singular in your faith and live and worship as an individual, but what you miss is the strength of a group of individuals who will love you and support you both in your time of joy and in your time of need. These are people who will pray with you and, more importantly, on your behalf. It is one thing to go to God yourself in prayer, it is another thing entirely when people are willing to pray over you and lift up your needs, asking for God's blessing without any kind of selfish intent. There is a safety and security that comes from being a part of a group of people who are willing to both hold you accountable in your walk and yet also be a support for you. That willingness to sacrifice for a stranger... It is rare indeed to find that outside of a community of faith.
Of course, just as there are broken people in this world, so are there broken communities; communities who have also been consumed by greed or pride or anger. It breaks my heart to see people who have been broken by a community they believed to be a safe place for them; to see people who have been so let down by those in whom they have placed their trust. These circumstances lead to such distrust and judgment, and it is easy to understand why so many people would like to point fingers and cry 'hypocrisy.' It is a shame how the few can ruin a reputation for the many. It seems only negative press attracts any kind of attention. For all the good that the church does, the only notice it gets is when it makes a very human mistake. As Christians, we don't claim to be perfect - we simply claim to be very broken people who are striving to better ourselves by modeling Christ's example. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Romans 3:23); "What then? Are we better than they? Not at all...." (Romans 3:9). As a community, we can help one another to achieve these goals that are greater than ourselves.
Tonight I will simply be grateful for the strangers who have shown love for me, and recognize my responsibility for the people who may yet need me.