com·mu·ni·ty: a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.
Who is in your community? Who has God put around you to go through life with? There are so many ups and downs in life, that it is easy to get discouraged, especially if you are trying to go about it alone. What about parenting? Are you trying to do that alone also? Are you trying to carry your burdens alone? Galatians 6:2 says, “Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” I am so thankful for the community that God has put me in that helps carry my burdens.
This past year has brought many challenges. The idea of community has become a little harder to grasp, but one of the things this past year has taught me is how much we need community and how much we need to stay connected. Sunday mornings are a great place to start, but our need for community is bigger than that. Life Teams are a great place to get plugged in. It is a great way to be in a community that does life together, but even that is not enough. God created us for relationship.
Proverbs 27:17 reminds us that we are better together. It says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another.” Let’s do what God has called us to do. Let’s help each other be the best we can be. Let’s sharpen each other in our daily lives. When God brings someone to mind, send a text. When you know someone is going through a hard time, make that phone call. If you read a Bible verse that really hits home for you, go ahead and share it with a friend. As you reach out to others, remember that when you are struggling, you can reach out for help too. Proverbs 19:20 tells us, “Listen to counsel and receive instruction so that you may be wise later in life.” God has put people in your community to share their wisdom with you. It is easy to think we can do things on our own, but that’s not the way God intended it to be. When you are hurting from loss, reach out to others. When you are lonely and in need of fellowship, call a friend or two. If you are sick and in need of a helping hand, it’s ok to ask for that help.
The biggest blessing of staying connected with God’s people is prayer. God tells us to pray for one another. James 5:16 says, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.” There is power in prayer. Pray for those around you and never hesitate to ask others to pray for you. Pray in the morning, pray in the evening and pray any time you hear or see the need for prayer. You can keep it a secret or you can share with someone that you are praying for them, whatever the Lord leads you to do. I would love the opportunity to pray for you as well. I am here for you. We need to be here for each other. We need community.
Resources
For a complete Bible story worship experience with your child, please go to ministrygrid.lifeway.com and create or log in to your free account. Then follow this link for this week’s lesson: Solomon Built the Temple.