Community

Hello Friends!

First of all, awhile back I put out a blog that I thought was something that needed to be discussed, but it wasn't. The Lord convicted me on that and so I removed it. If you read it and it caused you to stumble in any way, I am truly sorry. Here is to learning from my mistake and moving forward.

Here is a new blog on something that for sure is needing more thoughts on and something God has been teaching me and challenging me on this year and that is:Community.

Community in the church is so important, but yet, many Christians, including myself, are struggling with loneliness and isolation. We were never meant to live life, to go about life alone. For me, I have struggled with that. I have often looked at Elijah and a lot of his ministry, he did on his own with God. But at a certain point, God brought Elisha into Elijah's life to encourage him and help him. In fact, this happened not long after Elijah had fled for his life in terror after his showdown with all the false prophets at Mount Carmel.

1 Kings 19:1-16 "Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, "May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them." Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, Lord," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors." Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat." He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you." So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the Lord came to him: "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He replied, "I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too." The Lord said, "Go out and stand on the mountain  in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.  After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He replied, "I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too." The Lord said to him, "Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisah son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet."

1 Kings 19:19-21 "So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. "Let me kiss my father and mother good-by," he said, "and then I will come with you." "Go back," Elijah replied. "What have I done to you?" So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant."

So, Elijah accomplished some great things on his own, along with God. But even he needed someone else to aide him. Out of total fear for his life, he ran into isolation and was depressed and anxious. But God lifted him up and put Elisha into his life to eventually take over as prophet but he also put Elisha in Elijah's life because he needed the help and encouragement of someone else.
In the same way, we believers need each other. We can't go about life alone. The enemy wants us to be divided; isolated and alone. It is easier for him to attack us and get us down when we don't have others around us. We are much stronger and accomplish more when we are in unity and in community with other Christians.

Jesus himself says:

Matthew 18:19-20 "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

There you go, big things can and will happen when you gather with others. There will be times when you do things on your own to minister to others, but there are times when you minster to others, with others. Community is so important. Anymore, that seems to be a struggle for many in finding that or even working at finding that. It is good to kick back and have a day at home, watching your favorite movie or show or reading a book. I know I find myself doing only those things on my days off from work, but if you are not careful, you can get into a routine of that and go months without spending some time in fellowship with old friends or building relationships with new friends. I can't tell you how many times I've done that and found myself isolated. I have had to be intentional and be willing to break out of that routine to spend time with other people. I can tell you it is hard, but it is worth it.

I am introvert, so, I usually do fairly well doing my own thing, but sometimes I do need connections with others, especially other Christians.

"Christianity was built upon intimate community. Jesus lived with his twelve disciples. They traveled and ate together; they worshiped and discussed things together. Jesus seems to love bringing diverse group of people together. The church body is the same way. The relational aspect of Christianity cannot be overlooked, and it really spoke to me, especially in the worship context. 
So, as much as I needed and loved to worship God on my own in my room, or on the beach, or on the roof during sunrise or sunset, I also needed and loved being in the midst of an assembly of people who were seeking God in united diversity. This is where the most challenge, encouragement, and confirmation in my walk with Christ have always come from." 

~ Lacy Sturm


That quote really sums it up well. I for sure have experienced a lot of growth and have overcome a lot through the help, encouragement and challenges from fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. So we need each other; we need community.

It is going to be hard at times; uncomfortable and sometimes even painful. Conflicts will happen and being around others has often been hard for me, but the good things outweigh the bad by far. The older I get and more I grow in my walk with the Lord, I am learning that I really do need other Christians to help me, guide me, challenge me and sometimes call me out on things.

Here is some scripture to mediate on:

Hebrews 10:24-25 "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another---and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Romans 12:9-13 "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are need. Practice hospitality."

I have gone through seasons of just wanting to be a lone ranger, sort to speak. To go about life on my own, accomplishing things outside of the church. But I have been challenged on that and earlier this year, God placed me into a great church where I am plugging into and serving along others and it has grown me a lot and has overall, been great for me.

I want to just encourage other Christians out there to get out there and be in community and grow with others. There will be disagreements, personalities that require a lot of patience and grace to put up with, and other challenges, but that is all worth the growth and encouragement you get through being in a community. It is so much better than living in isolation. Being in isolation eventually becomes a miserable experience. Now, it can be tough to find a good community; there are for sure some not so good ones out there. But, trust me, it is worth the effort to find one. I am really thankful for the community and church I am apart of now. So, please, find one. Fight through the fear, anxiety, or whatever you are fighting that maybe holding you back. There are people out there who do want to help you.

I want to leave you with a final bible verse that shows how important community is.

Acts 2:42-47 "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple court. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."


Be encouraged. We are all in this together.