Community is messy. Sometimes it hurts. I’ve been in places with a ton of people but felt invisible. I’ve hung out with people who were more focused on their phones than our conversation. I’ve asked for help and had no one respond.
Maybe you can relate? Maybe you’ve been backstabbed by community. Maybe you’ve been rejected by community. Maybe you’ve been (fill in the blank) by community.
And like me, you ran into isolation. If community is like this, I’d rather do things on my own. Who needs them anyway?
But the devil is prowling around looking for his prey. He’s like a robber, looking for someone alone to rob. The devil whispers his tempting lies and you eat them up in isolation. You’re not worthy, they don’t care about you, you don’t need them…
But rarely do you see someone robbed in a group of people. Why? Because instead of just one person, the others will chase after that robber and take them down. They will also look after the person who was robbed.
Community is messy, and as much is it may hurt at times, there is so much beauty in it. When those lies start to whirl in our brain, community speaks truth. When we are down, community encourages us. When we lose our way, community points us back to God.
I think God intended some things to be messy, so its beauty shines that much brighter. The cross is messy, but the resurrection is beautiful. The disciples were devastated when Jesus died. But Jesus’ resurrection brings life to all who believe! We don’t need to stay on that gloomy day of the cross, because the resurrection happens shortly after! And we don’t need to stay in the gloomy times of community because God has amazing things in store for community!
Jesus lived in community with a guy he knew would deny him 3 times (ouch) and one who would turn Him over to be crucified (what!?), YET HE STILL DECIDED TO LIVE IN COMMUNITY WITH THEM!
I’m struggling with being in community right now, but it’s something I need to fight for. Why? Because I know it’s worth it!
