Called to Community…

God Himself is a social being. He, as the Trinity, is three persons in one. And of course, He created man to be in relationship with Him as well.  According to Genesis Chapter 3, before the Fall, He “walked” in the garden with Adam and Eve.

Speaking of Eve ‘“ she was created because it is not good for man to be alone (Gen 2:18). Later, Solomon would write: “Two are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.  If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But anyone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back to back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken” (Ecc 4:9-12).

Isn’t God a loving and wonderful Father? He knows us well enough to tell us what is good for us.

Growing up, my dad was a Marine.  We moved around like other military families.  People would ask, “Where are you from?”  And that was a tough question. “The South” was probably the best answer.  So I developed an easy going nature and could get along with most. That was the good part.

The bad part was, when things got tough, I would look for the exit. I was pretty self-contained. I tried hard not to need anyone. God brought me to a lonely and heartbreaking desert experience to show me what it was like to be really alone‘¦for years. Coming out of that time was not an abrupt end to the loneliness, or a quick sprint out of that dry place, but more of a painfully slow crawl.

On that journey, I finally came to understand in a real and very personal way, the constant comforting presence of God and the relief His love and protection provide. ”Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Is 41:10).

God showed me how I could absolutely rely on Him. He showed me that I was not meant to be alone‘¦not alone in a strange city, not alone in a crowded place and not alone at church. We are made for community. “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matt 18:20).

It is an awesome realization to know that there is power in gathering in His name. Spiritual power! But also, the same God who gave Adam a wife, Abraham a nation, and the world a Savior wants His children to connect to one another. Not just for powerful prayer, but also to provide for one another physically (James 1:27, Acts 2:41-47, Eph 5:22-33) and emotionally, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

I will close with something from Wikipedia…y’all know by now that I cannot pass up an opportunity to quote Wikipedia!

Since the advent of the internet, the concept of community no longer has geographical limitations, as people can now virtually gather in an online community and share common interests regardless of physical location.

So it was my desert experience that made me think there might be others, emotionally or physically isolated, wanting to connect over God’s Word and needing to belong to something larger than themselves, looking for community.  I hope we can grow this little blog into a community of believers, praying for and encouraging one another.