Word of the Week - Community
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching” Hebrews 10:24-25
What is community? The definition is simply to have common unity with others. For people to come together under common values and beliefs to live in fullness. God created us for relationship, first and foremost with Himself and secondly and as important with each other. It is impossible to live to our full potential without being in Community with others. “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Romans 12: 4-5 As a body of Christ we do life with others in healthy interdependent relationship that allow the body of Christ to function in fullness.
Community is Healthy and Life Giving – Life Giving Community should lift us up and bring out the best in us as we help bring out the best in others by using our God given gifts to love, relate and serve others. I love the quote from John Maxwell that says “show me your friends and I will show you your future”. The bottom line is that we become who we commune with; life begets life and but bad company corrupts good character. It is very important that we develop Community with people who are like minded and share our core values, especially as it relates to our faith. We need to pursue Community with godly people who desire to grow and live to their full God given potential. People who are authentic and speak the truth in love. Friends that will challenge us and love us enough to admonish us and call us out if we are headed down the wrong path. Friends that we enjoy spending time with and have our best interest at heart and visa-versa. Friends that will be there for us in the good times and especially through the storms and challenges of life.
Community is Covering and Protection – Part of the reality of life is that we will all face trials and adversities in life. “In this life you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world” John 16:33. One of the keys to going through tough times and persevering through the trials is to have a strong Community support system around us to provide encouragement and protection as we endure the trials of life. We were not created to do life alone and we all need help and encouragement to navigate the challenges of life. We can comfort one another with words, physical presence and prayer. “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” Galatians 6:2. We can encourage each other in the process and always point to the hope of the Lord and his promises, helping each other keep an eternal perspective. We often are inclined to give up too early but with good Community of believers “band of brothers” we can be encouraged to hang in there through the pain to get to the other side so we can experience God’s best for us. “And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all”. 1 Thessalonians 5:14
Man was made for relationship and Community and was not made to do life alone in isolation. The abundant life that God promises is one of Community with others. I have truly found that the most joyous experiences in life come through being connected to others through Christ. It can be hard for some of us to commit to Community, especially if we’re guarded due to past wounds or simply more introverted and prefer solitude. Community is God’s desire and design for us and a sign of mature faith. At the end of the day, when we grow in our relationship with other through authentic and vulnerable Community with others, we are growing in our relationship with God. We really are better together!!!!
I spent the weekend serving at the Birmingham JH Outback JH Outback at Grace Farms. Over the weekend I was reminded of the power of connecting with others in small groups and building true Community. If you are not connected to Community of believers, I encourage you to make it a priority. Remember that we all desire to be connected in good healthy Community and we have as much to offer as we have to receive.
Have a great week,
-Duane