The definition of community is; a feeling of fellowship with others as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.
On the World Race, we live in constant 24-hour community. Most of us have experienced roommates at some point during our time at college, or we’ve had to share with siblings when we were growing up. But this, this is something brand new. Now, I’ve never been married, but I’d go as far as to say this is something like being married to 6 other people. We live life together in all the mundane tasks of our daily life. We grocery shop together, we cook and eat our meals together. We do our laundry and clean together.
We also have each other for all the ups and downs that life is guaranteed have. When one of us is hurting, we hold each others hand and give hugs. If one of us is sick, we share our medicine, and stay by their side to comfort them in whatever way they need. If we are weak, and we are not feeling worthy or not feeling like we are enough. We are quick to affirm each other, speaking life and truth. Community meets you where you at in life, exactly as you.
In Hebrews 10: 24-25 the word of God says “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up on one another, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the day is coming.”
It has been a tough month for me, as I let ya’ll in on in my last blog. I’ve been homesick. I’ve had personal problems come up from my life back in the U.S. that have made is difficult to be present here in Macedonia. My community, the 6 women of God who make up team Beloveds have never left my side. If I needed prayer, they were ready to lay hands on me and pray over me. If I needed to cry, they offered me their shoulder. They listened to me when I just needed to get mad. When my righteous anger almost made me stumble and not represent Jesus, they pointed me right back to him.
We need authentic Christian community on our walk with Jesus. As my teammate Ali says, community is who will pray for us when we aren’t strong enough to pray for ourselves. Community will always point us back to Jesus. They will shape you to be more and more like Christ in our words and actions.
I’ve tried to do it on my own. I’ve tried to walk out a Christian life without community. It didn’t work. I didn’t have anyone to pour into and no one was pouring back into me. So, my cup ran dry.
Now, I have true Christian community and my cup is overflowing.
As it says in Hebrews 10, show each other love and be loved in return. Encourage others and allow yourself to be encouraged.
Right before leaving for the World Race, a wise person told that community is the heartbeat of heaven. After living in constant Christian community for nearly 4 months now, I am here to say that they were right.
The World Race focused this month on community, here is an awesome vlog showing what World Racers all over the globe have to say about community and what it looks like.
Lastly, I have another prayer request; my community is going to be changing very soon. Before I move to Zambia for month 5, my entire squad will experience team changes. I’ve had an incredible 4 months with Team Beloveds, but I am excited to experience life with a whole new set of I squad members. Prayers for a smooth transition through this big change, as well as the change of moving from Eastern Europe to Southern Africa are a huge blessing!
And for an update on how I’m doing since my last blog-I’m doing much, much better. I’m happier, healthier and have found joy in the midst of trials. Thank you for your prayers.
