One of the things that drew me to the World Race is also one of the things that frightens me the most – intentional community. Community means being vulnerable and I don’t like to be vulnerable. (Does anyone?) So why would I subject myself to eleven months of community with the same people living out of packs that we can carry on our backs while ministering in a different country each month? Because I’m not satisfied with where I am now.
I have a community around me now but I have learned how to portray only what I want them to see and share only what I want them to know. See, I know these people and I know how to avoid the questions that would lead to dealing with the hard stuff. But there will be no avoiding dealing with the hard stuff when every day takes me out of my comfort zone. Here, I can jump on my bike and have time to myself or hop in my car and run to the mountains to be alone. There, I will be stuck with people and in situations that will push me to my limit and beyond and force me to take a good, hard look at how I deal with issues in my life. Am I dealing with them in a Godly way or not?
I will be surrounded by people who will not let me just recognize that I need to change but encourage me and push me to make those changes. They won’t let me give up when it’s hard and they won’t give up on me. It’s a community where I can learn from others. It’s also a place where I can encourage and teach others.
Can’t I do that where I am currently? Yes, I can. I do have people that I’m open with and who encourage me to change and grow here but, for the most part, the community I’m in does not stretch me or make me go outside of my comfort zone. In some cases, I almost feel stifled. I’m tired of not growing or fearing what those around me will think or say if I do what I feel God is telling me to do.
So I’ve decided to go on a journey. This next year, I’ll be diving into community on deeper level than ever before and learning to be dependent first on God but also on the Body of Christ. I want to be more concerned with the overall health of the church than with myself and my feelings. By God’s grace, I will learn to ask for and accept feedback. So here’s to a change in lifestyle – to learning to live in community and not isolation. Isolation is dangerous because the devil can tell you anything he wants and no one is around to tell you the truth.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. – Hebrews 10:23-25 NIV
This is another post that was actually written in July/August as part of a series on why I signed up for the World Race. I’ve decided to go ahead and post at least some of the series. My current plan is to post follow-up blogs on if/how my perspective has changed.
