“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”
Acts 2:42-47
What is real community?
I am only just beginning to learn the implications of this word and lifestyle-commandment Jesus gave us as Believers. The community lifestyle is becoming more of a reality every day on the Race, and I often comment on how I feel as though I am in an arranged marriage! I didn’t get to pick my teammates, and some days I have to choose to love them even when my flesh desires otherwise. (No offense to you, Judah–you know I love you!) This team is quickly becoming my family in every sense of the word.
In this community living our true colors begin to reveal their pretty and not-so-pretty little heads. I’ve already seen parts of me that I wish didn’t exist, but because I am a part of a community that has so much grace for my faults, I am learning how to be graceful in return. I am learning more and more about myself every day and working to allow God to purge me of all my selfishness.
For a long time, I’ve wanted to be a part of a community that is modeled after the Acts 2 church. However, I don’t think I’ve even had a glimpse of what that may look like until now. Not only have I been literally living on top of my six teammates for the past two months, but we also have been spending practically each and every moment of every day together. Talk about quality time!
There was one night in China where I had a breakdown, and as I sat weeping tears of selfishness, I said to God, “I didn’t realize when you said that I had to give up everything to follow you that it meant EVERYTHING!” Silly thought to have, eh? But seriously, I have no more rights. Nothing. My life has been REDEFINED, to refer to one of my prior blogs. It’s no longer about what I want or need to be happy and content; it’s about what my team, my FAMILY, needs to function in a healthy manner. I no longer have a say over all of my decisions and actions.
But truly, what a privilege it is to be learning how to create real community, right here, right now! So little have the opportunity to do so with the crazy demands of everyday life we have created for ourselves in America. We are lucky if we have one quality mealtime together every day!
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.”
We are learning how to be steadfast in our fellowship with expectation that wonders and signs are to come as we unify even moreas one body. Our fear is of God and not man!
“Now all who believed were together, had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.”
Most if not all of my teammates are better at this than I am. The Lord is teaching me how to be a better giver because nothing I call my own is technically my own. It’s a slow process, and I admit that I struggle with this so much of the time when I feel as though I have so little of anything to begin with! But this is community; to see everything I have as belonging not to me but to my community.
“So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”
We have had the privilege of breaking bread in so many houses with so many people and calling them our family. These people who have little or next to nothing are teaching us how to eat our food with gladness and simplicity of heart, all the while praising God for the little we have received in this life. (I suppose it also helps that we only have two American dollars to spend a day on food!) And as we learn how to do this (to share all we have and give thanks for the little we have been given), we believe that the Lord will add to his body, the church.
This community life can honestly be rough sometimes, more-so than I had ever anticipated. However I would have never realized how selfish I can be without it, as well as so many other things. I believe this is the kind of life the Lord has designed for all of us. He is using it to mold me into the way He created me to be!
I’ve found my community. Have you found yours? If not, start seeking it out. And once you’ve found your community, start living it!
