For any future, current or past racer, community is a word that will stick like hot glue. Unarguably, it’s a bolstering component of the experience. Never alone, they tell you – never alone.
Everyone has an opinion on community. That’s just how it is. So without making a big fuss or pointing any fingers, knowing that people have mentioned my name in regards to a rebellion against their own personal views on the matter, I’ll share some of my own thoughts. And if you read this and feel compelled to actually share your opinions on community with me instead of throwing my name around with someone else, I promise you I have eyes, ears and a mouth just like anyone else so we can probably make it work.
When I read my bible and study Jesus, I discover things about community. And while I try to exemplify a healthy exertion of community effort in my day-to-day life, I’m not an expert. But I do have my own opinions on community and believe that in order to do it right, a grab-bag of qualities must exist.
Love
“Owe no one anything, except to love each other.” Rom. 13:8
Peace
“And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James 3:18
Hospitality
“Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” 1 Peter 4:9
Service
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Gal. 5:13
Instruction
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Col. 3:16
Care
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” Rom. 12:10
Forgiveness
“If one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” Col. 3:13
Submission
“… submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Eph. 5:21
Encouragement
“Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” Heb. 10:24
Honesty
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another…” James 5:16
If your joy and contentment is dashed by rejection, sky rockets by reception, or wildly shaken when your status hangs in the balance, then a warning light on the dashboard of your soul is blinking. You are consumed by inner-ringism.
– C. S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory, “The Inner Ring.”
