It’s funny how you think you’re beginning to understand so much of life, and then all the sudden you realize how little you know.
You’re probably wondering what I am referring to. Well, before coming on the World Race I thought I knew what “community” was. I thought I was a part of it because the idea of “community” is mentioned so often in the churches I have gone to. I assumed since I went to those churches, and spoke to people on Sundays and on occasion during the week that that was what community was.
Since coming on the Race, I have realized how shallow my idea of community really was. This is not to say that I did not have people close to me that were pouring into me because I did have a select few. But that was my limit of “community.” I heard the phrase “living life with people” so often I had become numb to what it really means.
Well, God is changing that. I went from living in almost no community to living with five women 24/7. Five women who are all here to seek the Lord, to spur each other on on this Race, to encourage each other to go deeper, and to farther than maybe we’ve ever been before with our God.
Living in community is not easy. It’s an arena to be vulnerable, to address the hard things, and even to be joyful together. I am coming to realize so much about myself I never have before just because God has surrounded me with women who are willing to speak to me about the good and the bad things.
The lies of the enemy can not be hidden in true community. Instead, God urges you to bring them to the light. As a result I have learned some not-so-great things about myself, like pride and selfishness, that need to be weeded out so that good fruit can be borne in their place.
Community not only exposes the lies the enemy has been feeding you for so long. It also exposes the good things about yourself that you have been blind to, but those around you notice. I have been told things that people see in me that I never would have said about myself, like I’m brave, gentle, and peaceful.
Community may be uncomfortable at times, even difficult and frustrating, but I’m so glad God has made it part of my journey on the Race.
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 10:24-25
