Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:23-25 ESV)
What a blessing it is to walk out our Christian journey within a community faith. The writer of Hebrews admonishes us to encourage each other, gather together as a community, and help each other along as we live out our faith. How badly we need to hear and receive these words. In our world today, we are too inclined to try to get by on our own, considering the need of others almost as a weakness. In God's perfect plans, it is through relying on one another that we are strengthened, grown and matured in our faith. We learn from each other, we celebrate together and weep together, we discern God's will for each other and hold one another accountable. What a gift that is.
I had an occasion this morning to be reminded of a quote which is also the title of a book by Eugene Peterson: "a long obedience in the same direction". That is such a great description of a faith journey. It is long but purposeful; it is moving, not stagnant. How much better - necessary - to walk among our brothers and sisters in the faith. How can we possibly stay faithful and obedient if we wander along by ourselves? I don't believe we can. We can't be, and were never intended to be, Christians in isolation. God created us for relationships - with him and with each other.
I've been writing and reflecting on discipleship lately as I've been preparing a Bible study on the life of Peter, what a life of discipleship looks like from beginning to end with all its beauty, mistakes, sins, denials, transformation and sanctification. Our Lord was preparing Peter for the role he was to step into in this new body of believers. It was certainly not an easy path, this process of training and refining Peter went through. But he was surrounded by his brothers and sisters in the faith who were learning with him, praying with him, weeping and celebrating with him. They were strengthening each other even in their darkest moments. Even in their doubt, as they may have scattered and separated from each other when Jesus was arrested, they came back together to try and make sense of all they had seen and were together in prayer as they were empowered to go out and serve their risen Lord. Where else could they be but with each other? Who else could really understand the depths of their emotions and the heights of joy when true understanding came?
Where else can we go? The gift of community - of true Christ-centered friendships - is a gift beyond measure. Those dear ones in our lives who know us and love us anyway - who encourage, support, pray, correct and re-direct when we need it - are the picture and reality of Christ among us.
Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brothers dwell in unity!
It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down on the collar of his robes!
It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the LORD has commanded the blessing,
life forevermore.
(Psalm 133 ESV)
Your post yesterday, then received this today. Sensing a theme.
ReplyDelete"I know I am not a solo practitioner, God. You have made me for community. I cannot discern who I am without interacting with a community. I cannot have vocation without a community to bring it to life. I cannot grow or heal without a community.
I am faithfully and wonderfully made, it’s true. But my vision is limited, as is my strength. I can only be good at so much. I have only so much energy. I need the insights of others to enrich me. Because we are all, together, called to make the world a place that more fully reflects your justice and mercy.
So, God, I am puzzled by the way being in community challenges me. We need each other so much, but it is hard to be different, to disagree, to mesh our hopes and goals. How do we pull together instead of apart?
Open my heart, God, to the power of your Spirit that ennobles us to serve in your name. In spite of detours into resentment or exhaustion, there is powerful ministry to be done. The world needs our compassion, our courage, our wisdom. Release us, filled with your Spirit, to serve. Amen. "
This message was adapted from “Welcomed and Wise” written by Catherine Malotky that first appeared in the May 2010 issue of Lutheran Woman Today magazine.