And let us take thought of
how to spur one another on to love and
good works, not abandoning our own
meetings, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and even more so because you see the day
drawing near. Heb 10.24-25
I wish I knew who wrote the book of Hebrews, because then I
would say “preach it, [insert author’s name], PREACH IT!”
This past week I had the extreme privilege of watching Merce
become a Hurst. From Wednesday to Sunday I enjoyed the company of some of my
best friends as we celebrated, danced, laughed, prayed, shared, and made a fool
of ourselves.* Community. We were in community. As my time with my friends drew
to a close on Sunday afternoon, I choked back tears thinking of leaving these
women who I have grown to love as sisters.
After saying my goodbyes and failing to keep some of those
tears inside, my heart ached as I headed home. As my car rumbled down I35 to
Dallas, I consoled myself with the fact that I had great friends in Dallas,
too. Really great friends. Community. I am in community.
Unlike some of my college friends, I have set some roots
here in Dallas and have been blessed to find other believers who are pursuing
Christ as I strive to do the same. While my college friends live in exotic
locations and have much more interesting lives, they will tell you, having
close friends who love the Lord is something they deeply miss.
So what’s my point? It’s this: fight for community. Somehow
in the midst of technological advances, societal evolution, and living the
American dream we have bought into the lie that money, power and titles will
satisfy us. We pursue lives of significance, comfort and happiness, when God
has asked us to live simply, and in community (just look at the birth of the
church in Acts, they shared everything!).
This thing we call life packs a punch, and God never
intended for us to endure the blows alone. Certainly, God will use seasons of
loneliness to shape us but David had Jonathan, Elijah had Elisha, Joshua had
Caleb, and so on. Find a church, get into a small group, beg an older person to
mentor you, go to Sunday school, stalk your local pastor, do whatever it takes
to surround yourselves with believers so that you can spur one another on to love
and good works. Fight for community. That way, when you find yourself fighting
through this life, your corner won’t be empty.
*Disclaimer: it may have just been me acting like a fool...
