First Baptist Church of Herndon

It's only natural - Community

Linda Soller | Aug 25, 2014

Who doesn’t like being around friendly faces, people who have a common interest, and agreeable neighbors? By definition we are talking about a community. We know that communities come in all shapes and sizes. When we moved to our current home we were warmly greeted by a member of the welcoming committee. I thought, “How nice, I think I will like it here.” I still like my neighborhood.

A church is a community. Those of us who attend a particular church share common values and ideals with others who also attend, but we can disagree. It’s okay for a community of people to disagree. The true sign of a strong community is their ability to work through differences large and small.

I am part of a knitting community, a reading community, a writing community, a neighborhood, a work community, a family, a church, and well the list goes on. After the tragic death of her father, Robin Williams’ daughter said she was struggling to come to terms with how someone who was so obviously loved and admired could feel so lost and alone as to take their own life? It has triggered a national discussion on depression and suicide. Unfortunately, many people belong to a community, without feeling totally connected.

The New Testament is filled with letters to new and growing churches helping them to learn to get along and make their community work. You might ask yourself why someone had to tell those churches how to work together to develop their community. Isn’t it only natural? I would say knowing you need to work together is fairly natural, but whenever you get different personalities together you need to use some good social skills to keep things running smoothly. I am not convinced that good social skills are all that natural.

Recently, I read “The Giver” by Lois Lowry. Yes it is a book for young people, but it has a very grown up message. The focal point of the book is the community. Parts of the world had evolved with rules to protect the community over the individual. They nurtured conformity to the point of giving up much of their humanity. Indeed they gave up the most important part of our humanity according to God. They gave up love.

It’s only natural to want to be part of one or more communities, to feel connected, valued, and supported. At the same time a community can be fragile. Like anything we do in life that has value we need to treasure it. Your communities provide joy, security, love, and support to you. In return you will need to contribute, nurture, and cherish your community. You will need to invite people in, and make them feel welcome, just as you would have them welcome you. There may be times when you need to change communities, but you will find there is always a community available if you are willing to accept it. You will have to be discerning in your choices because bad and destructive communities do exist.  Remember last week I said that God made us powerful. We have choices. It’s only natural to want the right community. I pray you will find one full of love.

Have a great week!  :o)    Linda