Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.
If it had not been for our community, we would have broken. Left to navigate the hurt and brokenness of our marriage and home on our own was too heavy of a weight to bear. We were weakened and unraveled by years of maintaining a façade of normalcy. We were quite truly hanging on by a thread.
Our need for community was designed by God. God is a triune God made up of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Godhead three-in-one is the Creator and Maker of humankind created in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). We were formed from community and designed to live within community.
Our Western, American culture celebrates and advocates individualism. We, as a society, are so far from the original design of God, that we let this idea of individualism infiltrate our identity as the body of Christ. Basically, we need each other (1 Corinthians 12:12-20), and to try to live otherwise leads to destruction.
What secrets do you keep from your brothers and sisters in Christ? What is forbidden discussion in your small group? What hidden struggle are you working so hard to keep tucked away for fear of discovery? The real question should be: Why have we created an environment within the church that prevents people with struggles from coming and showing up as their authentic, broken selves in need of healing? Why is the church usually the last place hurting people want to go? Why are we so afraid to take off our masks?
I have shared before how vital community has been to our family over the last two years (read more here). Community is also one of the key foundational steps to walking in providence ( read more). I do also understand the barriers that keep us from embracing community and being willing to be vulnerable and open with people.
I didn’t tell a soul what was going on in our home for seven years. Fear and pride constantly whispered that I could handle it on my own and it ate me alive. I slowly became open with two trusted friends who began to pray and encourage me. The burden was finally given aid so that I could keep going, but I was still not being honest with most people in my life. There were past wounds from Christian community that kept me from trusting and believing that letting people in would be helpful.
This all changed two years ago. The moment I let down my guard and let people in with the truth and honesty of needing help was the moment the weight was lifted and the healing from past wounds began. It was in the very act of taking my mask off and revealing my true self with all my hurt, pain, disappointment, and fears to other believers that restored my severed heart towards Christian community.
After a very painful season in ministry for my parents, my sister and I gave them wall décor that hangs in their kitchen to this day. It says, “Heal the past, live the present, and dream the future”. This quote is a sweet reminder of how we navigate the good, the bad, and the necessity of Christian community. Over the next three weeks, we will look at how healing the past, living the present, and dreaming the future allows us to fully embrace and thrive in Christian community.
God laid this devotional series on my heart because not only have I experienced the beautiful strength in community but also because His Word has a lot to say about community. His Word gives us His clear design for community, instructions on how to live in community well with each other, and His Son to model this for us in His ministry here on earth. My prayer is that you can evaluate your own community and seek His guidance on what to keep and celebrate, what needs distance and healing, and what needs adding and intentionality.
Community must come from love. Love of the Father is our greatest gift, and we are called to walk in that love with others.
Romans 12:9-13
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in 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 the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
We need each other to travel through this sinful and painful world.
Galatians 6:2
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
We need community to hold us accountable and to cheer us on in the race.
James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.