Community. How do you define it? I thought about defining the word “community” as a group of incredible individuals who value each other so much that they are willing to be honest with each person instead of sugarcoating the truth. Something seems to be missing from that definition though. What about defining community as “a unified body of individuals” (which is one of the ways that the Merriam-Webster dictionary begins to define community)?
The second half of Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIV) states, “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Now regardless of your interpretation of this portion of scripture, I think this phrase gives some insight into the power that comes with connecting with others. So, one more attempt at defining community. Community is a group of people who either intentionally or unintentionally have their lives intersect directly or indirectly. That is about as specific, yet broad, as I’m going to get right now.
You should think about how you define community. Do you have to know someone for them to be a part of your community? Must you have something in common for someone to be considered a part of the community? What are the requirements, if any, for being in a community? What role, if any, do circumstances play in defining community? Spend some time on this. It can be a very personal journey as you work to define community for yourself.
As for me, I don’t throw around the term community lightly. There is a sense of power, inclusion, and love when I use the word community. Below are four (of the many) reasons that I’m grateful for community.
- Friendship and Love. I already shared with you all in a previous post that I have moved a lot in my life. These haven’t been small moves. Regardless of my location, friendship and love are healthy and necessary. You get to grow with others. You can ask your community for help in times of need and pour into others in their times of need. You can laugh, cry, explore life, support, talk, pray, and push each other to live beyond just getting by each day. If you’ve moved as much as I have in my life, I encourage you to not only treasure the friendship and love that comes from community, but also be proactive about maintaining connections with others even if you no longer live near them.
- Accountability. Sometimes the excitement of the purpose God has given me and the dreams He has placed in my heart get muffled by the demands of everyday life, lies of doubt, and distortions of progress. God works through others and I’m thankful for those who asked me about that dream I was pursuing, checked in with me about that project I committed to doing, and gave me that nudge to keep going with what God has called me to do. That’s the power of community. What a blessing it is to have folks who value the purpose God placed on your life and your growth in Christ enough to lovingly hold you accountable to some things. Remember, it’s not a one-way street though.
- Encouragement. Have you ever had a challenging day or moment where you really needed someone who could see the “bigger picture” of things? Have you reached a point where you feel stagnant and you need someone to remind you that God created YOU for a specific purpose? Have you ever needed someone to just remind you that you are loved and appreciated? There are many reasons why daily encouragement is needed. Your community should be ready to encourage you, and often they do.
- Collective investment and responsibility. Back to the word “unity.” When you are in a community, it should not be all about you, but rather about others too. Each person has a duty owed to the community (which can be interpreted in different ways). It is upon the mutual respect, trust, love, investment, and commitment that a community flourishes.
So to all of those who share in community with me, whether I have met you in person or not, thank you. Seriously, THANK YOU! “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
Blessings and Love,
PurposeOverFear
*Picture in this post is from pixabay.com.
Purpose Over Fear 