This month we’re in Manzini Swaziland with the whole squad. That means 45 World Racers are scattered throughout this little city. I’m staying in a house with three teams, so 19 of us are living under one roof. Four girls have their own bathroom, but the rest of us share. We share everything. Food, clothes, germs, music, movies, speakers, popcorn, games, phones, and bathroom time. We share stories, struggles, questions, thoughts, and experiences. I just finished reading an old book called In His Steps and it poses the question of what life would look like if we asked ‘What Would Jesus Do?’ before everything we do. In the last few days of this living situation, I’m asking what it would look like to live in community In His Steps.
And this ‘Can I Come In’ question really translates to more than a room in a house. This month we’ve been asking to come in to each other’s lives. That’s a big question. And honestly, sometimes I want to say no. But what would Jesus do? If He was the one asking ‘Can I Come In?’ what would I say?
Can I come in while you’re in the shower?
This is the most common ‘can I come in’. Other people need to use the bathroom, brush their teeth, check the mirror, etc. It’s a miracle if you are alone for seven minutes. An absolute miracle. Our living quarters are tight. No matter where we go here, there are people around. We have one kitchen and the ants absolutely love having so many house guests, so the kitchen has to be clean all the time, or we pay for it. And we share food, but everyone has their own personal food too. Which means a special marker was bought so everyone could label their food items.
But what if we lived like Jesus did?
Nobody would stake claim to those apples or bananas. We would just share and be joyful at the opportunity to give. I think Jesus would hold everything with open hands and be happy to see someone else enjoy it.
If Jesus lived in this house, He would sacrifice His personal time to accommodate others. He would not be possessive of His things, His time, or His space. He would be the one in the kitchen putting dishes away when everyone else has gone to bed, just like I see Mallorie, Sydney and Hope do here. He wouldn’t complain about a dirty floor, He would get it done and wash it. But He probably wouldn’t bemoan the fact that He can’t stand a dirty sink and tell everyone how many times He has had to wash it. He would just clean it, without telling everyone about it. He would be humble and positive. He wouldn’t complain about the burnt chicken His teammate made, He would just say thank you and help with the dishes.
Can I come in to your clique?
It’s true, segregation still happens with a bunch of girls mostly in their twenties. And it’s absolutely crazy to watch people be as sweet as sugar to one person and totally ignore another. Why do we do that? And I know this doesn’t only happen on the World Race. It’s a problem in church, the work place, and with friends and family.
How would Jesus handle this? I bet He would consistently treat everyone with respect, He would call people out when they are acting out of line, He would pursue each individual in the house and try to include them in everything that happens. He would not play favorites, He wouldn’t avoid anyone, or stick too close to His friends. I bet everyone would feel like His best friend and He would make time to spend quality time with each person.
Can I come in to your priorities?
I’m surrounded with lots of vows to give up sugar, or soda, or commit to early morning workouts. Those are all good things, but I’ve heard lots of complaints about how body image is a big topic of conversation. We put so much pressure on ourselves. How would Jesus handle this? He would probably gently pull people aside and encourage them to focus more on things that really matter. We are here for other reasons than losing or gaining weight. There is a whole country dying here and our job is massive. He would gracefully refocus our energy and speak worth and value into us that goes beyond our outward appearance, but His words would give us more purpose and passion to do the things that need to be done. Basically, Jesus would make the main thing the main thing and help us focus without social and cultural distractions. Wouldn’t that be awesome?
Can I come in to your conversations?
One of the best parts of living in community like this is the conversations we share. We ask questions and pull understanding and wisdom from each other. We share books and study notes and opinions and experiences and it is SO AWESOME to learn from each other. Jesus would love this part of community living the most. He would be such a great listener, patiently hearing others out, not just waiting to interject His opinion into the conversation. He would show real empathy and spend time in prayer after every conversation. I’ve learned a lot about the value of listening from Clare, she practices it like Jesus would, slow to speak and quick to listen.
Can I come in to your worship time, your movie, your song, your personal space, your quiet time, your room, your kitchen habits, your dysfunctional relationships, your problems, your family struggles, your laundry time, your off day, your boundaries, your closet, your Bible Study, your team time….
Can I come in to your worship time, your movie, your song, your personal space, your quiet time, your room, your kitchen habits, your dysfunctional relationships, your problems, your family struggles, your laundry time, your off day, your boundaries, your closet, your Bible Study, your team time….
In this house sometimes we say no, sometimes we say yes.
We do it right and we do it wrong.
Community living like Jesus would do.
Easy to write, hard to live out. Especially when we’re jostling around each other in the hallway every morning right after that loud, energetic morning person woke you up. But as much as we are all facing challenges in this house, Jesus would probably really love living for a month in such close quarters with other believers. I’m starting to like it too. It’s really a refining process.
And let me tell you, some of the girls in this house are doing it right. It’s so encouraging to see my squadmates doing more than their share with a joyful attitude, or give when someone has a need. They are doing life with open hands, giving more than they receive. I’m learning a lot from these people about what Christian community living looks like. It’s overflowing onto the streets for me.
And let me tell you, some of the girls in this house are doing it right. It’s so encouraging to see my squadmates doing more than their share with a joyful attitude, or give when someone has a need. They are doing life with open hands, giving more than they receive. I’m learning a lot from these people about what Christian community living looks like. It’s overflowing onto the streets for me.
I was at the grocery store eating my hot dog and a complete stranger asked if she could have a bite. I laughed and said “sure, you can have it all”. I pass a homeless man who is curled up on a particular corner every day. He always looks tragically sad. So today I gave him the cookies I had just bought. And in the house I’m trying to spend more time with people I don’t know. I bought a 1500 piece puzzle for us to do and we finished it last night. There were some fun sing-a-longs and conversations that happened over that puzzle.
As I’m writing this, Courtney just came up to ask Rachel to braid her hair when she was done painting. Rachel set down her brush and happily braided on the spot. Lacy is in the kitchen right now cooking dinner for her team with a smile on her face, even though I know she has a migraine and it’s not her turn to cook. You’d never be able to tell, because she is being such a servant right now.
It’s been good living with Jenn. She asks me such deep questions and I love and respect her so I give careful thought to the answer and try to encourage her as best as I can. She initiates such great conversation, I feel blessed to share a room with her. And Ashley is my World Race sister, keeping me on my toes by reminding me to share my clothes. Especially when I walk into the house and she’s wearing my favorite jean shorts. My real life sister, Malea, would have taken a beating for an offense like that, but I’m learning, and I want Ashley to help herself to anything I have. She is so generous and I’ve learned a lot about giving and sharing from her. How could I withhold something from a sister like that?
It’s fun to live like this.
Community like Jesus would do it….there is so much to learn, so many things to work on.
So how do we live in community like Jesus would?
If someone asks Can I Come In? Say yes.
Pursue relationships with outsiders or new people. Invite people in.
If something needs to be done, just do it. And don’t complain that you had to do it.
Have a joyful attitude.
Be encouraging.
Be thankful.
Listen.
Be patient.
Always pray with the people you talk to.
If someone asks for a bite, give ‘em the whole thing.
Pursue relationships with outsiders or new people. Invite people in.
If something needs to be done, just do it. And don’t complain that you had to do it.
Have a joyful attitude.
Be encouraging.
Be thankful.
Listen.
Be patient.
Always pray with the people you talk to.
If someone asks for a bite, give ‘em the whole thing.
I have a lot to work on. Who wants to be my roommate/guinea pig when I get back to The States?
Update: I’m in the Dominican Republic and am living with the same 18 women plus another team of 7. I am genuinely excited. More opportunities to love like Jesus.
