Community. Living within the boundaries of interpersonal relationships. Really knowing people and really being known by the same people. Honestly, it's a little unsettling. First of all, I am not entirely comfortable letting the people that I love the most see past the day-to-day parts of my life. Let alone being close enough to individuals to see them for who they really are.
On the one hand living in community makes perfect sense. In its purest form it provides security, fosters deep relationships, and provokes spiritual development. And on the other hand, it takes a lot of time, forces you into conversations you may not want to have and puts you in situations you may not be comfortable with. I guess the question is, “Is it worth it?” I want the answer to be yes. I want the experience to benefit more than it detracts from my life. Does it? I think it is too early to tell.
The foundation for the community that I live with is a simple statement that rings true for everyone.
“Before you can be loved for who you really are first you have to be who you really are.”
In the truest sense community is not just accepting people the way they are but embracing people the way they are. Before one can be accepted or embraced one must be who they really are. The best part about community is that I get to be me and you get to be you.
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3 comments:
I think within the First Century Church, a group we could clearly see from scripture and history got community right, there was a realization of great (desperate?) need. This was a group of people at odds with their families, their traditions, their nation and the occupying government. It's no wonder they met daily for a common meal and to share scripture and worship together.
Obviously, the Western church is far removed from this type of community. Could it be that we don't see the need as greatly as these folks did? And...is the need any less real? I suspect not. We're just filling in the blanks with substitutes.
Speaking to folk's needs - I for one know I function as a man of God much better when I know others have my six (back). In Unity there is strength. The Western church seems to be at odds against itself. Traditions have over-whelmed, families split seven ways to Sunday, corrupt national occupying government seem status quo. How can I trust others when core values vary beyond belief? In the Body of Christ there are many members which appear to have individual agendas. The community I choose to belong to is loving, caring, faithful followers of Jesus. The size best suited for me and my family is about 8 close relationships. Time spent in development will last for eternity.
I think what adds complexity to this issue is the sense that we feel like we have to dress up to go to church.(allegory) It is like lieing to tell the truth. It is a labor to challenge that part of myself, and I have caught myself posing. Bringing God into this mix is where the heat gets turned up and we are less trusting of others abillity to accept us. Because we wouldn't want to be caught aproving of someone who behaves in a way God does not like.(Sarcasm). Ultimately a God community must challenge it's deepest insecurities regarding God and others. This has been quite hard for me. ugh.
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