Communityનમૂનો

It is not good to be alone

In Genesis 2:18 God says, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone’ (NLT). This is an affirmation that we were created for relationship and for community. It’s true that our first and most important relationship is with the God who created us. The writer of Hebrews is telling us that we’re called to connect, to share our lives, our burdens, our worship, our prayer. This requires us to be vulnerable, and this is not easy. We should remember we’re under the mantle of the love of a forgiving God. We’re in the embrace of a God who loves us more deeply than we can ever love ourselves or anyone else. We see the compassion Jesus had for people throughout the Gospels. This is the same compassion we should have for each other, supporting each other through good times and bad.

Love shown in community cultivates the soil of faith. It’s through community that we carry the love of Christ to others. Sharing a meal, a kind word, a helping hand, praying together. The joy we have in Christ is richer and deeper when we share it with others, and it’s the presence of others through tough times that brings the love of Christ once again to our hearts.

Community is not easy. It takes courage to reach out, to take that step to be part of a group, to be present and purposeful, mindful of God’s love in every situation. Remember, when we gather in love, our life in Christ will flourish.

Written by CHRIS PARFOOT