Community. What a beautiful thing it is to be a part of a community; one rich in love and service to God and fellowman, one that builds up, corrects, supports and forgives. So often we take for granted our community, our brothers and sisters who pour into us and encourage us, and who stand with us and for us in prayer, even in moments when we can’t pray for ourselves.
God did not design us to live in isolation but to thrive in fellowship with each other. In fact, He commands it. Hebrews chapter 10, verses 24-25 says “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
We are not made to be alone
So often, I hear many young Christians say they don’t need the church and that they can grow in God by themselves. Sadly, their reason usually stems from church hurt, that is, wounds received due to an offence from a church member or members. The truth however is that we need each other to grow.
It is critical for us to take time away from others and focus on God in reflection, meditation, prayer and study of God’s word. Scripture reports that Jesus spent time alone as well.
“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke chapter 5, verse 16)
“After [Jesus] had dismissed [the crowds], he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was [still] there alone.” (Matthew 14:23)
Benefits of being involved in community
There is so much we can gain when we spend time alone with our Father, and our relationship with Him cannot grow if we are not spending one on one time with Him in prayer and study of the Bible. However, fellowship with others is important and necessary too and we cannot grow to our full potential without it.
1. We exercise our spiritual gifts. As Christians, we were all given at least one spiritual gift. This gift(s), whatever it (they) may be, was given for the edification of the church. 1st Peter chapter 4, verse 10 says “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” Every gift has a place in the Church and we should not take them lightly but use them to build up one another.
2. We learn from each other. We are all at different stages of our Christian walk and more mature Christians should be able to guide the less mature ones in the Christian community. When we share our experiences, we strengthen each other, and can provide guidance an advice on what to do or not do in different situations.
3. We are encouraged to press on. One of the biggest blessings of being in fellowship with other believers is the encouragement we receive. We will not always be merry; there will be trials and we will face difficulties, whether with our jobs, our relationships, our finances or even our health.
However, when we choose to spend time with other believers, they help us to fix our focus on God and motivate us to magnify Him and not our problems. Another thing too, is that God can choose to use them to minister to our needs (whether spiritually, emotionally or otherwise. God’s people are vessels through which He choose to bless others.
4. We have support. When we are a part of a community, we have a brace or clutch that we can lean on, a shoulder to rest upon and a hand to hold. We have support. We are commanded to “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
Sometimes we will go through things and in the moment, we cannot even pray for ourselves, but our community is able to stand in the gap for us. Recently, after sharing with a dear friend an issue I have been facing, the friend simply asked, “You want us to fast?” That friend was not just willing to pray for and with me but was also ready to take a further step to give up not just their time, but toalso sacrifice something important to them, so that they may approach the feet of Christ, petitioning on my behalf.
Toward the ending of May into early June my husband and I contracted Covid. While we had our ‘Covid Kit’ ready, we still needed food supplies, but of course could not go out because we were placed in home isolation.
We didn’t have time to think about who we could ask to get supplies for us because before we could, we had an influx of people calling and messaging to ask if we needed anything. We had people praying for us and encouraging us constantly. For me it was a clear reminder of not just the importance of being in a community but also an encouragement to serve those around me with equal eagerness.
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews chapter 13, verse 16)
Spend time with God alone in prayer and intentional study of God’s Word. But also ensure that you remain in fellowship with other believers.
Whoever can’t stand being in community should be careful of being alone. You are called into the community of faith; the call was not meant for you alone. (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)