Community
Between the broken pieces, He’s building His church, His people. Like an old house, strong but in need of full restoration, a place where many are scared of going inside, He reveals to us our own nature - the one we don’t like to see, but we need to.
Much like gazing into a mirror that conceals nothing, that's the sensation we experience when we observe our brothers and sisters. We see ourselves. Our fragile and unfiltered nature is laid bare in each of them, and likewise, they see me.
Community unveils ourselves to us, exposing our need for healing and our brokenness.
Within the community, we encounter our hearts and acknowledge the absence of perfection within us.
We must shed our vanity and pride, revealing our weak bricks and visible shallow foundations. Perhaps that's why we often shy away from community—it's daunting!
Community is challenging not because of others, but due to the revelation and reminder of who I am. Like a mirror reflecting my own image—broken and in need of complete restoration.
However, genuine community also exposes us to grace—a force that does not exclude but embraces without exception. It never seeks perfection but rather welcomes vulnerability. As we look at each other, and our true nature is unveiled, our hearts resonate with songs of gratitude.
In community, your walls find support, and assistance is provided to replace those damaged bricks.
"Love your neighbour as yourself" isn't merely a phrase to remind others during times of perceived attack. It's intended as a daily self-reflection to love them AS THEY ARE myself, even my enemy. As I look at them and see myself—with flaws and brokenness—I embrace them with grace and compassion. With empathy and kindness, I await the moment when the Groom encounters His bride. The moment we realize that all this time, we were one body searching for the same thing: to be made whole again.
For you:
Community is one of the most difficult but also one of the most rewarding places we can be. We develop in community - we grow!
Today, I want to encourage you to list all the things you have learnt, developed and grown as a person because of the communities you have been a part of. You might not even be a part of that community anymore, maybe because you felt hurt, but guess what, those people might have taught you precious lessons.
Write it down, maybe name those who have helped you to grow and be where you are today. And why not to reach out to those people and thank them for their input and help. You will see how much we need each other by simply realising that who we are is a collection of different people’s input throughout our existence.
