Community.
“I will astound them with wonder upon wonder.” Isaiah 29:14
A healthy community feels like a mystery, one of the best gifts, and something to always stand in awe over. a true wonder.
“But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24
I have found people that are, well, my brothers and sisters. It is a holy and sacred connection built and guided by the Holy Spirit Himself.
a deep well. light and color. alive.
these are life.
a lasting joy. a safe haven for the soul.
these are gifts.
a sense of belonging. cherished time.
these are lasting.
a clearing off of a dirty mirror. a re-routing.
these are results.
Imagine a team. fighting it out, sweaty, maybe even bloody, unified under one goal. how much better is victory than when it is in a team?
Warning: I am going to gush for a second. This community that I have the wonderful privilege of living with/in these past ten months has been growing, challenging, safe, and exactly what I wanted to find in this life time. I will search out community like this for the rest of my days. I am confident that these 20 some beautiful people will always be a community for me. How sweet is it to have people all over the states and the world that have your back at all times? This is my treasure.
Are you a person who longs for connection?
It is something I crave in the depths of my being.
Connection to people, to God, to nature.
For the first 20 years of my life, I did not quite know what alive and light community looked like. I didn’t know my part. I didn’t know how to love people as well as I do now. The WR taught me some rad stuff about how and what a good community should/ could look like. It looks like:
- open hands to giving and receiving feedback.
- a deep desire to love well.
- intentionality.
- hard truth and ridiculous grace.
- diving into conflict resolution.
- an open and safe processing space.
- a zero tolerance for manipulation and passive aggression.
- pushing each other to new heights and new health.
- being willing to show your guts.
- trusting always.
- real, raw, and organic living.
- a space to not have to hide anymore, a space to be human.
a group of people seeking after our Creator and Lover. a flock of people caring to know, see, and value each other. a bunch of friends who belly laugh and weep together. community.
The Lord designed us to live in community and relationship. And when we do it under His name, let me tell you, it is astoundingly wonderful.
I am already anticipating a horrible heart break, while still soaking up every sweet moment.
“Then Paul went down on his knees, all of them kneeling with him, and prayed. And then a river of tears. Everyone clinging to Paul, not wanting to let him go. They knew they would never see him again—he had told them quite plainly. The pain cut deep. Then, bravely, they walked him down to the ship.” Acts 20: 36-38 (Message)
This is what I imagine our squad goodbye to look like. A tearing of heart and soul connection. Yes, of course, we will see each other again, but it will never be quite like what it is now.
It is a strange thing to prepare for pain, to know what it is going to feel like, but not let yourself feel it yet. I rejoice at the blessing this season in my life is/was. I consider myself blessed beyond measure to even have something, that when taken away, will hurt so deeply. In the words of Paul, “Now I commit you (my squad) to God”. Acts 20:32
We are Fully Alive. Fully Human. Fully in Him. As one, we ascend to new heights, new glories.
Also, Ministry Update! Romania has been awesome so far! The whole squad is living under one roof with a total for two bathrooms! Contrary to popular assumption, I love it and love doing life all together. We get to engage in evangelism, Roma (Gypsy) children and church ministry, the New Testament project (the New Testament in every home), fighting prayer time, and so much more. I love being back with a host and back on a schedule! Life is really good/sweet/fulfilling!
