Community Building

We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first. If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both. 1 John 4:19-21 MSG

In today's world, it seems people live rather isolated lives.  Social media becomes our avenue for communication and what used to be a "live" phone call with someone has now become a quick text or email.  We use emoticons to reveal the temperature behind the words.  I'm not saying it's wrong - it's actually quite efficient.  But I wonder if we are letting go of some priceless gifts.

God created us to be in community.  Out of community comes protection, provision, encouragement, growth, and countless other treasures.  In community, we find ourselves stretched to new heights.  We learn from one another and witness the unique qualities God created in each individual.  We discover things about God in one another - His glory, His creativity, His power, His beauty.

Being in community releases the Holy Spirit in us.  The fruit being produced in each of us is released for the benefit of those around us.  Non-believers are introduced to our God.  Believers are encouraged to keep running their race.  We are astounded by the work of the Spirit within us, as He matures and stretches us.  We become intoxicated by the joy that fills us as we live and serve Him in our communities.

Don't you feel good when you help someone?  Don't you feel like you made a difference in the world?  Not because you "performed a task" but because you practiced love.  He wants us to practice His love with those around us. Practicing love is not always easy or comfortable, but it's essential to our faith and life-giving to our souls.  It builds authentic community.  It builds a community of believers that can chase after God together and grow deep roots together.  It builds a community that releases Kingdom qualities - things like joy, peace and love.

I have been deeply encouraged by God showing me the value of community lately, and I want my children to know the value of it as well.  I want them to build community with classmates and youth groups and neighbors.  I want them to see the beauty in it.  I want them to reap the benefits of it.  I want them to learn through their relationships with those that are lovely and those not so lovely.  Each encounter shapes our character.  Each moment we practice love we are transformed into His likeness.  Not always easy - especially when we are rejected or made fun of or the like - but necessary nonetheless.

Our kids look to our example.  They want to see love in action so they know how to practice it themselves.  They want to see what works and what doesn't.  They want to offer their whole hearts.   They want to love and be loved.  I think we are created that way.  When that changes and we become isolated, it might be time to ask what happened to trigger that isolation.  What lie did we begin to believe or what event caused us to shrink back from others?  Often, forgiveness is the key to unlock our hearts once again and release us back into relationship - both with God and with others.

Father, please help us to live intentionally towards others.  Help us not grow weary of trying to build community, but find joy and goodness in practicing love in community instead.  We ask you to impart to us the wisdom for reaching out and staying faithful to our communities and to You.  We look to You as our example of relationship and love.  We ask You to show us when we shrink back and ask You to speak courage to our timid hearts and to help us forgive when we've been hurt.  We ask that You equip us for every good work You've prepared for us to do.  We remember that You loved us first so that we could love.  Thank You, Father.  Thank You, Jesus.  You are everything good!