Community
June 26, 2008
by Susan Lucas
I recently got back from a beach vacation to a small island off the coast of North Carolina. I usually just get to go for a few days at a time but this time I managed to stay two weeks. What I have found in this small community is a group of people who regularly fellowship with each other. We were welcomed into homes, offered meals, rides when our golf cart broke down and friendship. Having established the majority of my close friends before moving to Raleigh I was overwhelmed with hospitality these past 2 weeks. These people wanted nothing in return. They just wanted to spend time with me and my family. What an incredible blessing it was!
For me, my love language is time. Just ask my husband who gave me a very expensive watch and I asked him “Why on earth would he spend so much money?” Trust me that wasn’t a wise response on my end. I just value people more than things and I have to admit I get tired of relationships that seem to only want something from me and that don’t value me as a person. Consumerism in America affects our friendships too and it makes me terribly sad.
Somehow I feel we are so blessed in America that we have neglected what really matters…the gift of yourself unconditionally. As Christians we should be leading the way. The people who led the way for me during my vacation weren’t even regular church attenders.
Offering up our lives to others is just what Jesus would want us to do and I don’t believe all or even most of it needs to happen within the church walls. In a country of prosperity we remain lonely as individuals. As a reflection of Christ I find that reprehensible. Most of us just seem too busy to care.
I want to become “missional” in my community. Whether that means attending a neighborhood party, answering an e-mail, writing a thank you note or attending a baseball game played in by a friend’s son. I want to show that I authentically care. Talk to me is cheap. I want action. I want people to wonder what makes me different and then I want to share the answer—Jesus! I want to “shine like a star in a dark world.”
“If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if His love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; Don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t get obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.” Phillipians 2:1-3, The Message.
Comments
Got something to say?
You must be logged in to post a comment.