Community

Confession:   I am a morning person and do enjoy morning exercise time…please don’t be a hater haha!

On this August morning, it was cool, a little balmy and the sun was just popping over the trees.  Comfortable and beautiful.  Heading outside for my walk-jog mixer, I tapped my Pandora icon on my phone, waited for the music to start and shoved my phone in my sports bra.  (I know, I could buy one of those arm band thingys, but this works for me haha).  Anyway, after a few stretches, arm circles and neck twirls, I took off.  Quickly, found myself huffing and puffing and not really focused on the random contemporary Christian music coming from my chest.

Almost half way done, something happened. An old song came on and it immediately caught my attention.  My focus shifted.  The words. My thoughts, scrambling to remember the title.  The song connected with memories of a specific time in my life.   Has this ever happened to you?  It’s crazy!

The memories continued and then, the faces…oh my goosh, the faces of the people, vivid in my mind, those beautiful friends; then the places where we connected, in color.  This was a crucial time in my life.  I was a REAL mess.  This community became a physical lifeline.  They were real, loving, compassionate and a plethora of other adjectives.  This was a powerful community of people!

Oh goosh! Focus had shifted back to my huffing and puffing, as I was obviously running too fast.  I knew I was to remember this song.  Stop.  I grabbed my sweat drenched phone from my sports bra (sick, I know), quickly pulled up a blank text message bubble and voice spoke the chorus words.  I would Google it when I got home.

The rest of the run, I thought about them…that Christian community…friends, seekers, believers, family-like people, supporters, fellow sinners saved by grace, not perfect but real, authentic, honest and loving.  Messed up just like me.  I felt like I belonged in this community.  I was one of them.  The next 10 years, I think, they taught & trained me up, sharpened & believed in me, spoke truth to me, and modeled real life for me.  They invested, supported and discipled.  They taught me how to serve, lead and love Jesus.  Pretty darn amazing group of people.  A powerful community!

Then I remembered this; they were the ones who were beside me, as I stepped forward to that alter of grace, (in that little country church in Selma), as I accepted Jesus as my Savior…at the young ole’ age of 27.  I saw their faces.  I could almost feel their touch. I remember their tears and their joyful smiles. Wow, the power of that community of real people!

The memories continued of many communities that had impacted my life.  Personal, professional, school, church & ministry.  Interestingly, the impact was healthy and positive OR unhealthy and negative.  Nonetheless, many of the powerful community experiences have been etched in my mind, heart and soul, and am forever grateful!

5 Take-Aways from my powerful community experiences:

1. When I encountered real, authentic people, I was welcomed, loved and accepted. And, that continues to be a common theme today.
2. Through these relationships, I was challenged, taught and sharpened; experienced frustration, struggles and hurt, but was motivated, loved and encouraged to persevere.  Again, consistent.
3. I experienced change, growth and transformation, in the presence of loving relationships, with those who desired similar outcomes; and was loved unconditionally.  Unequivocally true now!
4. Then and now, being actively engaged in these types of relationships and communities is necessary because they have invaluable purpose.
5. Powerful communities will leave a mark and a memory.  Some will be worth re-visiting and some will be worth replicating!

PAUSE.     REFLECT.     ANSWER.

• Define community.
• Think about a community that was healthy and one that wasn’t.  What stands out?
• What does your ideal community look like?
• Reflect on powerful communities.  List any common denominators.
• What is your greatest community need, at this point in your life?  Where will you find it?

Almost forgot, the profound song was “I Could Sing of Your Love Forever.”  Seems pretty irrelevant now, but didn’t want to leave you hangin! Smile.

I would be remiss if I didn’t say…THANK YOU…my SUMC family and community!  You served me well, taught me much and loved like Jesus.  You left a mark and a precious memory deep in my soul.  I am forever grateful to you!

Please share your thoughts, comments & take-aways!  Love, love hearing from you!