Community is a "be" word

Community has been this phrase I have heard thrown around for quite a time, and have used myself. Community was a feeling I had when I got together with people of like mind and spirit. It was also really handy when I needed something and remembered that in community people can take care of me. This week my view has changed a bit.

I moved in with three other girls from school. We all have the purpose of community while we live together. I have to admit I was fearful of what they would think of me, and how sinful they thought I would be. I laugh as I write this, because it isn't about that at all.

There are so many aspects to community that are essential to live LIFE--God life.
One is constant encouragement from seeing Jesus manifest is the people I live with. Secondly, teh simple fast that man is not meant to be alone. God gave us the church body for a reason. Thirdly, we all are so extreme in some area of our lives, and it is awesome/painful/fruitful to have people to bring things out of us that normally wouldn't happen.

This week I am house sitting for a family, and living alone. The community aspect of my life is currently a little less since I am 30 minutes away from home. All these ideas come to my mind as I miss sharing life with people at the apartment. The little things are important when it comes to community. Proximity is important as close people are more likely to share more life together. Paul wrote to churches, but he sent Timothy because he knew someone had to actually be at the church to mix intimacy with the words that can seem far away. Our friend has came over twice now to eat dinner with us. He doesn't wait for us to call, but just comes on over. It is great to have people like that. It is such a blessing to share a meal with friends- and a little DDR afterwards:)

In the beginning of this world God said that it is not fit for man to be alone. Every animal paraded in front of man, showing that God needed to create something more that is suitable for man. When I am constantly alone, I have found that sin seems to get bigger, and God further away. It is way easier for me to kid myself and believe the enemy's lies. One of these lies is that I am a horrible no good person, instead of a righteous woman made by God the Father.

The thrid aspect is what I call the balancing act. Today I was frusterated with bad character I saw in someone else, knowing that it is a struggle I have. The balancing act tipped over pretty solid, as I lost grip on how to deal. Psalm 94 fortunately says that God is our support when we feel we lose our grip. Just what I need...I admitted it, and ask God to fix me. He will, I trust. Without the balancing act, my character flaw would not seem so horrible. It would keep getting bigger and bigger until I could not ignore it at work, school, or at home. Living in close quarters with people brings these things out so God can heal. One more example: I am pretty undecisive at times, but living with a decisive person forces me to make up my mind pretty quick. If I ever want swiss cheese rather than cheddar, I have to speak up faster than usual. Cheddar cheese gets pretty annoying after a year of saying nothing. The balancing act works pretty well, it brings out the best in us all!

I picked up this article again after a week. Things have gotten more complicated as my roommates and I spend more time together in the apartment. Expanding the community to friends helps so much. Including others in our community helps us to process the intimate details of our apartment family. There is no end to God's community of life givers. The conclusion of this week is that God created his family as a body and community. He gives us cool experiences of this in our homes, friendship circles, and churches. It is a challenge to keep letting God work in love, but after all it is why he made us.