Imagine with me for a moment.
You have a group of people that you met for a few hours. This group of people (about 6 or more) you live with and do like with. You share your space with them, you share food, bathroom, vehicle and little to none alone time. You have limit areas or space to “hide” or be “by yourself”. If you don’t agree with or have a conflict with someone everyone one is affected by it. You are quickly reminded that you cannot hide, you will be confronted with issues, you will be confronted about the “tension” that is being felt by the group. You will be giving each to other feedback.
As feedback is given you get to walk through the process of understanding someone and them understanding you. It’s the issues that help the group to function better. When feedback is given you often find out that it’s all due to a slight misunderstanding. You can’t hide from conflict, or disagreements. It’s all out on the table.
There is only ONE thing that you each have in common. One thing that keeps you saying yes to living so close to so many people at the same time.
What would you do? Would you choose to live like that?
I have chosen this lifestyle for about 3 years. Most of people when I explain this above situation, would think that I am crazy or brave or tough, some sort of special super power from God. Because if you truly think about it really does sound crazy!
So WHY?
Knowing very well, that God has called me into a life of everlasting adventure and that he will never leave me, I have walked into all of this with open hangs. It’s been really hard and very much a challenge to learn how to properly navigate multiple different personalities and different likes and dislikes. I have learn to address issues right away, not to allow conflict to affect the call that God has placed on my life. Living a life not out of my flesh rather out of the spirit that is inside me. Like Romans 8:13 says:
“for if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Being that I have chosen to live in community like this, here is what I have learned over the years.
Vulnerability is valuable. The quickest way to get to know someone and for people them get to know you is to open yourself up. Sharing as much as you feel comfortable with right away. I truly believe that the moment this happen something beautiful in the spiritual world happens, and walls come down and you’re able to better understand the people around you.
Learn to celebrate. When you live in community is very easy to get lost in the routine of life and the grind of life that we forget to celebrate and walk in victory. I have personally struggle with this a lot. I could not figure out why because I am pretty happy go lucky, always look to the bright side of life. So when I found it hard to find joy in the everyday I was determined to find a solution. It comes in finding anything that is joyful and happy and celebrating in that. From someone finding a lost shoe to getting hired for an awesome job. There is something worth celebrating every day.
The power of choice. When answering the call to live in this type of community it ultimately I had to choose it and say yes. In saying yes, I have a choice every day to live fully in my yes or to waver or give up. We all have a choice in life. Freedom to be and do as we please. It is important that when you choose to live a life intentionally with other people you it’s a choice to press into those relationship to ultimately bring the closer to Jesus. It could look like having the hard conversation or sitting with someone that is truly struggling, holding hands and praying over the situation. Bringing Christ into your choice and keeping him at the center of all that you do. Kingdom living happens when people come together.
If you look around in your life are you surround by people that will, pray with you when you are struggling, hold your hand, celebrate and share deep things with you. Are you willing to open up and be vulnerable? Do you have a community that will challenge with you go after your dreams? Do you have a community that will ask you good questions? Find it. Seek it out. If you can’t seem to find it. Create it.
It’s a choice that I am so happy that I made. I am so honored to have lived in such close communities and look forward to this being a lifestyle choice that I can create where ever God may be sending me.
I have just a short time left with this amazing community that I have been with for the last 11 months. I’ve been praying that I could be fully funded by Nov. 22 (hopefully before). I really need your help to make this happen. If you could click the donate button and donate whatever God ask you to give. You can also give through Venmo @Jessica-Beltran-8
Thank you so much for all your support!
