Community - Gratitude Day 19

As I participated in our local annual Thanksgiving and White Elephant Bingo game, I was quickly reminded of how grateful I am for community.  Getting to share a meal (and Bingo!) invites conversation and laughter…bringing community members together on many different levels.  This community has been a source of support since we moved to Bondurant and I am so incredibly grateful for the work that the leadership of our local community club.  These folks are a source of support that I am confident I can lean on in both the hard and the easy moments of life.

Community is a precious thing and it comes in all shapes and sizes.  It is defined as a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common and is further defined as a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.  Reflecting on my own life, I am a part of various communities of people.  In my profession, I am a part of the natural resource community; I live in Bondurant and am, therefore, a part of the Bondurant community; and I am also a part of the Bondurant Fellowship community amongst a larger community of believers – the Big ‘C’.

Community is a place where we can share ideas, share challenges, are willing to learn from one another and ask tough questions, and most of all, we want the best for and from each other.  We have a sense of responsibility for each other.  It’s not always pretty, but we realize life is messy and true community isn’t afraid to get their hands dirty with you.

In the Bible, God encourages us to take care of our brothers and sisters – no matter the differences you may have.  Additionally, we are called to remember the importance of connection and are charged with building community with love through word and action.  We are called to sharpen each other (Proverbs 27:17), to love one another (John 15:12-13), live in harmony together, (Romans 12:16), undivided (1 Corinthians 12:25), to bear one another’s burdens (1 Corinthians 12:26), to be mutually encouraged by one another (Romans 1:11-12), to shine brightly (1 Peter 2:9), and to serve one another (1 Peter 4:10), among so many other things!  I love most the picture of community in Acts 2 – a community of believers devoted to see each other thrive, eating together, giving to one another so no one had a need left unmet, and praising the Lord with glad and sincere hearts.

Today, I am thankful for community.  Are you a part of a community?  If not, I encourage you to find your people.  If you are a part of the community, reflect on whether or not you own your role in that community.  Thank God for the fact that He designed us to be together, not alone.  Thank God that He created man to have companions, to thrive, and to shine His light with glad and sincere hearts.