Community. We were in Sioux City Sunday. As if I hadn't had enough to do through the weekend, we decided we needed to go biking. We chose the riverside trail along the Missouri River. And what a beautiful day for it. Everyone was out. Walking dogs. pushing strollers. Dads with boys pulling carts with little sisters, families,couples strolling hand in hand.... everywhere, people together. At the park they were celebrating...something. With loud music and cake. At the river they were fishing. Everyone that I passed greeted me. Was the friendliness born of the lovely day? I think not. It seems the midwest is always friendly. The need for each other runs deep here anyway. It did get me to thinking about our need for each other. Rugged individualism is overplayed. We need more than a nodded greeting. We need from each other real encouragement. We need community. That whole idea, not of living together, but of casting our lot together. That seeing each other through when we aren't such nice folk nodding to each other on a sunny day. That encouragement. "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." (I Thes.5:11) or "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness" (Heb. 3:13) and this one-"but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."(Heb. 10:25) Like I've heard from my pastor many times-it gets messy. Indeed, but it's part of learning and growing in grace. Community isn't exactly an action word. Something easy/hard for me to put into practice. But I think the translation is this: "One anothers" first. Be devoted to one another, honor one another, love one another,live in harmony with one another,accept one another,instruct one another,serve one another,encourage, encourage encourage one another....
"We were born to unite with our fellow men, and to join in community with the human race."-Cicero
"The religious community is essential, for alone our vision is too narrow to see all that must be seen. Together, our vision widens and strength is renewed".
AMEN.
2 comments:
At our parenting class at church on Sunday we were talking about the stresses of parenthood and how incredibly important it is for us to encourage one another and uplift one another in our own phases of life. I was struck at how you and Ron are good examples of this--reaching out to college students, your children, your children's friends (Amber still talks about Ron being willing to hold Judah during the parade!) and all the others you reach out to help. You are great examples for not only us, but our children as well! We need to keep those things in mind!
Community - good word. The part where you said, "That seeing each other through when we aren't such nice folk ..." was quite appropriate for today!
Community must involve listening, wouldn't you think? Thanks for being a good listener.
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