We Were Meant for Community

Often we try to live life alone. To handle what comes our way on our own strength. To struggle and even celebrate in relative silence–afraid we are burdening others or bragging … or maybe that we will be hurt. Many of us have good reason to be fearful.

Still, we were never intended to live in isolation:  

After God created Adam and all creation, He saw that it was “not good for the man to be alone,” so He made “a helper suitable for him” (Genesis 2:18). And Eve was “born” from Adam’s rib.

Still He was not done. The Lord instituted the family and the church body to offer support and encouragement. He placed us in community, so we can “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15).

Going it alone is sure tempting. Being made up of sinful beings, community is certainly not perfect. It can be a place of added pain and a heightened sense of aloneness.

But there is much we miss out on when we avoid people. The strength, joy, and sense of belonging that comes with a supportive community more than makes up for the risk. 

This week start small–find just one person you can confide in or one small group that shares similar values and interests. Once you take that first step, you might be surprised at how easy communing really is.

Myself and many other ladies will continue discussing the importance of community and how it affects our voices at Jo Ann Fore’s #WhenAWomanFindsHerVoice weekly linkup on Wednesday. I will write about how connecting has affected my life in more specific terms. I’m praying it will encourage you. (To never miss a single blog post, complete the form below–it’s so easy!)

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) 

Reflections: Has community been helpful or hurtful to you in the past? How so? 

Linking with Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience in 2013 with my Joy Dare list for Multitude Mondays (#2103–2123, read the entire list by clicking here):

• A deep-cleaned bathroom; Frustrating schedule items straightened out; Beachhouse lights reflecting off the smooth lake
• Red-sky morning; Used the teapot my eldest gifted me to warm up a cool day; Precious, sloppy kisses fm my fav. daughter
• Wonderful avalanche of editing projects; Ability to work remotely; So much willingness to accomodate Rachel
• 2 carts full of groceries–thankful on many fronts; Rachel’s greetings to the rain–so cute!; Joey’s blossoming faith
• Rach “kicking me out” at @campcourageous; One editing project completed; Sharing canning fun w/ a dear friend
• Watching high schoolers pull together as a team for marching band; Working overlooking a lovely valley; New friends
• Eating plump grapes right fm vine; Finding lg Burr Oak acorns–here comes acorn pancakes!; Baptism–young life in church 
  

Also linking with this wonderful site:

By His grace ≈

Julie