Live in Community…It is the Good Life!
Ever stepped on the one, lone Lego when someone didn’t exactly get them all put where they belong? It’s painful, eh! When that Lego is carefully placed as a piece of a masterful creation it serves its purpose wonderfully and the world is a much better place, probably with one fewer not-so-nice word screamed out as well! It is very similar when we live in isolation versus in community. Read on!
“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
As I sit and watch my nephew put together spaceships, fire trucks, buildings, cities, and more from millions of Legos on the floor I am quickly reminded that things pieced together are better than things scattered apart. Well beyond Legos, God has this same picture for us living in community. Not one person is intended to stand alone, apart from others, and be able to experience God’s glory and fulfill His purpose for us on this Earth.
God made us to be in community. Check this out:
- As we can glean in Proverbs 27:17, when iron is rubbed against iron, the edges become sharper making the iron more efficient and effective in its work and purpose. Just like iron, we are called to sharpen each other. We need to live close enough with others that when we “rub” shoulders in life with them we become better, more effective and efficient at God’s calling on us. We will grow and learn from others and them from us.
- John15:12-15 reminds us we are not just servants of the Lord, but we are also considered friends because God has brought us into the light of His story. Therefore, the command is to love one another, in community. We need to consider the beauty of being a friend of God and let that overflow into our friendships today.
- “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” Prov. 11:14 – There is no doubt we like to appear as best as possible, put together and perfect. Reality is, we ALL fall short and have failures, yet we try and hide them in isolation. When alone we are more likely to sin because we have no accountability. Community helps us rid our sin and produce more fruit in our lives.
God designed us individually with purpose and in community with purpose. Ask yourself who’s shoulders you are rubbing against. What does your community look like? What do you hide from your community and why? Let’s be a reflection of the Gospel in how we live out community…real, authentic community!
Camper Corner
God designed YOU to be a reflection of Him in your friendships. He desires for you to sharpen your friends and vice versa. How are you and your friends doing that well? Is there anything that isn’t uplifting in your friendships needing to change? Don’t stop loving and encouraging your family and friends, and allow yourself to be encouraged and sharpened by them.
