This week Facebook has told us what we already knew- we need community. Not an artificial, made up, based on who you have pictures of in your feed, but honest community! My heart longs for it and I think if you take time to reflect- yours does too.
Why do we need community?
- God designed us to be relational people. When God observed Adam, before Eve, He noted that “it was not good for man to be alone”. Genesis 2:18
- We need encouragement. Have you ever gotten that phone call at just the right time and the encouragement of your friend has pulled you back from the brink of despair. Have you joined in on a mission trip or a service project because of the enthusiasm of your friends? Hebrews calls us to: “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25
- We need accountability. Galatians 6 outlines our responsibility to each other for accountability.
If the need for community, is hardwired into us, why are we living lives of solitude and desperation?
- We are too busy. We have traded relationships for activity.
- We have bought the lie that other people are not our business, but clearly the scripture calls us to “love our neighbor as yourself” and how can we love others if we live in isolation or amidst people but closed off to them.
- We want to live our lives doing as we please and not answering to anyone.
- We are afraid for people to really know us. We fear if they really knew us they would not like us. We retreat behind the masked versions of ourselves and avoid open, honest friendships.
Can we consider what community might be like?
In community, we have a chance to know and to be known, to be taught and to teach. We have a chance to share our opinions and consider things from the vantage points of others, to have discussions and realize that most things are not right are wrong, but different and different does not have to be bad. In community, we have the opportunity to become the best version of ourselves and to encourage others to become their best as well. We have the opportunity to practice good manners, to be kind and to correct each other when we are not. In community, we have the opportunity to accomplish things greater than we can as individuals. In community, we know when our brother is discouraged, our sister is hungry, our child is rebellious, and our neighbor is alone. In community, we love and we are loved. In community, we experience the love of God and the power of the Holy Spirit in powerful ways like the early church. Acts 2:42-47
“There is a good reason why we are social creatures. We simply live and survive better when we are part of a community. Our friendships tend to be very intentional in their ability to move us forward in life.
Have you ever noticed that successes are far sweeter when celebrated with friends and family? How much better do you feel when you experience sadness, disappointment and grief in the company of others, versus going it alone?” Henry George Bohn
I pray we will be intentional about forming community so that we may care for each other as God intended. I pray that our love will reach far beyond our “shares” on Facebook and have the power to impact the lives of those around us – for their good and His glory.
Shirley Chupp
Lean into Jesus Ministries
#shirleychuppblogs