Who do you surround yourself with? Who is next to you on a daily basis? When you look to your left and right, what type of people are walking beside you?
It shouldn’t surprise you when I say that the topic of community has been more than prevalent in my thoughts lately. When you put a squad of 55 people in a confined area you cant help but think about the environment you’re in. For that matter, even if you’re not in that scenario, I honestly don’t think you can go without noticing who is a part of your life.
Going into the race I was so excited to be surrounded with like-minded, Christian individuals who would love me, challenge me and teach me lessons I hadn’t been taught before. I can say with confidence that this has certainly been the case. Though I also realized that regardless if you’re surrounded by the purest of hearts, corruption is going to try and seep in and ruin what you have.
Adventures in Missions does a great job at trying to maintain an open and honest community within squads and teams. They require teams to have daily feedback, in which during that time individuals can approach others with constructive or encouraging words to challenge one another. This is a concept I believe is greatly avoided in our society that should be exercised more often. I’m sure you’ve heard that the way we view ourselves is not always how others view you; physically, emotionally and spiritually. If this is the case, how are we supposed to grow and excel as individuals, if no one is willing to tell us about what needs to be worked on? On the opposite spectrum, there are also people in our lives that constantly harp on us, making us feel as if we can never meet their standards?
These past couple of weeks I have been battling with these aspects of community. Some people seemed to be constantly dissatisfied with others and confronting before prayerfully reflecting on the situation. While other individuals were bottling feelings, rather than just being upfront and honest. With all of these situations, we all found ourselves getting caught up in the middle of these issues. This was a great realization that we will never escape the petty issues that community comes with, like cliques, gossip, judgment, covetousness, jealousy, comparison, etc.
So then why does it matter who you surround yourself with, if this wont prevent these issues from arising? Because though our flesh is not stripped from us, Christians choose to “put on the new self” and replace those aspects with “compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness and patience” Colossians 3:12. Attributes that we as humans are incapable of, but by the gift of the Holy Spirit we obtain.
Not saying that addressing issues is any easier by any means, but we are more likely to “forgive each other, as the Lord has forgiven” and provide “love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” Colossians 3:13, 14. Our Squad has been a beautiful portrayal of pressing against and rebuking attacks against our community that longs so passionately to glorify God. Though we haven’t been perfect, just the fact that we are trying and admit to not being perfect is enough to maintain a healthy environment.
With all this to say, I challenge you to reflect on your own community. Is it one that breaks you down or builds you up? Are the people around you focusing on the Lord or themselves? What are your reasons for having community? Do you only want to be built up, or are you willing to hear the hard things that will challenge you in growing into a better individual than you were? So I encourage you to actively seek a community that will not only keep each other in check, but also help you grow communally and individually.
