Hi how are you all today? I am ready for my last six months of work which is exciting and a bit scary at the same time. I just had a week at the coast to relax. Even though I couldn’t go swimming as it was too cold, it was still a great break away. Where do you like to holiday in winter?
This week I want to write on community. Community in the Merriam- Webster dictionary means unified body of individuals. This could describe the church. We are supposed to be a unified body of individuals. I actually like this definition. It combines unity with individuality.
Unity in the body of Christ can be summed up by the verses in Ephesians 4: 4-6 in the Message Bible which states:
4-6 You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.
This is unity within the church. We believe the same thing. We may not worship the same, sing the same songs or our church service may be different but that is because we are individuals and do things different ways. But that is the reason the definition of community is so powerful.
So why does God need us in community? Can’t we believe the above verses on our own? Yes we can but look at what Hebrews 10: 22-25 in the Message Bible states:
22-25 So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.
These verses talk about why we need to meet together. They are:
- Encourage each other in love- don’t we all need encouragement in the world we currently live in. When we live in a dog eat dog world, it is great to get and give encouragement. We also need to know that people love us. It makes it easier to keep our confidence up.
- Helping out- we can only help people if we know there is a need. If we isolate ourselves, we also isolate our serving towards one another. It is only in community that serving others and helping are found.
- Worshipping together- there is something powerful that happens when we meet together weekly and worship together. It gives us a glimpse of what heaven must be like. All those voices lifted in praise to God. What a glorious sound!
- Spur each other on- it is only in community that we can meet together and offer up and receive hope for the future. When circumstances in our lives or around us feel hopeless, we know that in church community, hope is found.
However, none of this is possible unless we meet together and participate. My favourite thing to do on Sunday morning at church is to go around greeting people- asking how they are, how their week has been etc. Just a tiny conversation builds relationships faster than silence.
So my question today is do you participate in community or only take? Some of you reading this may not be able to be a part of community due to safety issues or mobility issues. For those people, reach out to God- He will provide you with what community would offer you. He won’t leave you wanting.
For the rest of us, let’s do our best to get into the community of church and bring something good to people’s lives each week.
You can do it- I have faith in you.
Bless you and keep living the life God intended.
Karen
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