Spiritual Disciplines
Day 13: Community
When you think about community, what do you think about? Do you think about hanging out with your friends? What do you think about accountability? Do you think about worshipping with other believers?
I often think about being fully known and fully loved. When God created us, He created us to be in community, with Him and with others. You desire relationships. Even if you are the most introverted, shy individual, you still desire deep relationships. It’s just how you were made. You were made in God’s image, and even God himself desires community within the trinity and with His children.
The problem is we live in a world saturated with culture, reinforced by the enemy, that tells us if we are ever fully known, we will never be fully loved. Therefore, we often find more comfort in isolation because we believe it is risk-free. But the truth is, it is not risk-free. When you choose to live in isolation, you are more at risk of being led astray from God and the destiny He has for you.
Satan likes it when you are alone because away from community, there is no protection. There is no one to remind you of the truth and keep you safe in accountability. If your anything like me, some of the worst decisions I have ever made were made in isolation.
God created community for us to be protected and so that we would have an earthly picture of His acceptance. True community is when you find the love of friends that is stronger than mistakes made. True community is when others know you fully and still love you unconditionally. It is not only a picture of his acceptance and love. It also brings great joy.
Godly community can look like all of the things I mentioned at the beginning: sharing a meal with friends, studying God’s word in a small group, corporate worship, a casual hang out. But Godly community only happens when you do those things with people that know you and love you just as God knows you and loves you.
Scripture of the Day
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Examples of Community:
*Start a group text with the people you want to be in your community. Share moments and events that happen in your daily life. Begin to build family and trust so that you can be praying for each other or help each other in time of need.
*Have a monthly dinner party or some kind of get together with your community, and each month rotate the host. Take that time to “check-in.” Share what has happened in your life since you met and celebrate or pray with one another.