Encouragement to Connect
We were made for community and crafted for connections with people. The word 'lone-ranger' should not be in our vocabulary. We need people and shared experiences to help us pull through the rough spots in our lives.
"You develop a healthy robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor." James 3:18
Why should we care about being connected to others in our earthly journey?
Because connecting with others helps me to be supported.
"So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing." I Thessalonians 5:11
Connecting with others helps me to be sharpened.
"As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend." Proverbs 27:17
Connecting with others helps me to be strengthened.
"A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12
Community is not built on the convenience of when I feel like it, but on the conviction that I need this shared fellowship to grow spiritually. The characteristics of encouragement, sympathy, authenticity, mercy, honesty, humility, courtesy and confidentiality are hard work and a rare commodity in today's world. But the benefits of giving up one's independence to be interdependent far outweigh the cost and ultimately prepares us for life together in heaven.
Let's commit to connect in community.
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1 comment:
Loving people starts with learning to see the plank in your own eye and ending the bad habit of being critical of others.
Loving people is not attempting to be some kind of hero in their life by supplying the answers to all their problems (that is arrogance).
Loving people takes time and in our busy society people chose not to take the time to love people.
Loving people in not always comfortable or natural. Sometimes it is easier to spend the evening watching TV instead of inviting people over, but what is easier is not necessarily better.
Loving people cannot be done staring at the back of someone head every Sunday while a pastor tries to prove how much he knows about God in hopes of a large offering or more members. This is probably equal to watching a preacher on TV alone.
If you can accurately define the method for loving God and people you will in the process define what God desires to see in His church also known as His bride.
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