Nothing is more difficult these days than to get folks to give up an evening every week to build community. With the schedule people keep, finding time in between ball games and band concerts and you name it--is an increasingly difficult challenge. But worth it.
The paradox is that people crave intimacy, but they resist doing the stuff that actually fosters it. They have so many small 'doses' of community supplied by their hectic lifestyle, that they don't always feel the need for biblical community.
But biblical community is worth whatever cost it takes to achieve it. I can't ignore the need I have to find support, encouragement, and accountability from other Christ-followers. I can't forget that the concept of community begins with the Triune God. So we're going to keep at it.
It's good to hear that you are holding onto community even when it's tough. You are spot on here, Russ. You don't have to look any further than Facebook or Twitter to see the craving for community within a western society deprived of such. But these "communities" are ultimately failed attempts. All it takes is one somewhat significant life event to recognise the failure of a virtual community. Words of condolence or congratulation on a luminous screen only go so far. Interestingly, when such an event occurs in the life of someone lacking true community, she experiences this loss but rarely has the vision to see what is missing. It IS our responsibility as the church to help people experience this bit of the Kingdom of God here and now. Then maybe her eyes will be open to much more.
ReplyDeleteTrying "according to His strength that mightily works within me." What a challenge to create GENUINE community when most would settle for, or prefer, virtual community.
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