On Community...

I've been thinking a lot about community lately. Something I really discovered in a huge way when I lived overseas several years ago, is that we grow and thrive best when we are living in community with others. It goes back to Genesis where God tells Adam that it isn't good for him to be alone. I don't think God was just talking about giving Adam a wife. He was talking about community and the Body of Christ.

On Monday, I drove to Houston to see a couple of my friends who live there and to raise some more financial support - God willing. But on Tuesday, I woke up with major intense pain in my back that worsened throughout the day. I was having sharp pain shooting through my body, and it was so painful - at times I was crying from the pain. And basically for the following 2 days, I layed on my friend's couch resting and praying for my back pain to be healed.



In those 2 days, I felt so useless. I was upset because I couldn't really be there for my friends the way I wanted to. They were taking care of me in my pain, yet it surprised me how much I wanted to resist that. Alicia would say "I'll go pick up your prescription for you," and I would think, "No, you don't need to do that for me!" I wonder what it is in each one of us that makes us want to be independent, not needing or gaining things from others in the Body of Christ?



I have experienced the great depth and joy that can be found in intimate community with others. And yet at times, my flesh wants to run from that. Perhaps it is because when we are separate and independent from the Body of Christ, it is much easier to stay stuck in our sin, or in the status quo - not pushing ourselves to new places in our walk with God. It's probably also because being with people - like REALLY being in their lives - it's messy. Because people are messy. Everyone has got problems and issues. And when you throw two or more people together, you've got lots of problems and issues competing with each other!



On the other hand, the true joy and intimacy that can be found when we are in community, in deep relationship with others - well, I don't think anything can replace that. It is what we were CREATED for! We were first and foremost created so that we could be in relationship with God. And then after that is the great blessing of being in relationship with others.



You know, even though I didn't really want to accept the love and care that Nathan and Alicia were trying to give me this week - I didn't really have a choice. :-) And in the end, I'm so glad I did. I've gotten to see a greater picture of the Savior because of those 2 days lying on their couch.



Here's to community!