Joyful Storyteller

What does “community” mean to you? I was pondering on this question recently and came to the conclusion it could mean many things to many people. Depending on circumstances, personality and well, so much more.

As an extrovert, I have always found myself among the introverts. I have yet to figure out why. Perhaps it’s because I need opposite personalities to balance me. Calm, gentle voices to help me navigate through the noise. (Sending a huge shout out to my introverted peeps!) And, perhaps the need is mutual? Case in point, whenever an emcee is needed at church, there are only a handful of people willing to step up to the mic; and yep, I’m on that very short list.

And, actually, I really don’t mind having a mic and using it. Hey, start playing some worship songs and I’m all over it.

Last Spring, I was asked – on the fly – to emcee the open sharing time at our church’s retreat. I received the most humbling comment at the end. A visiting pastor’s wife approached me and said, “That was a perfect example of using God’s gifts.”

Pause. I had to soak in the meaning of her words. My whole life has been about finding and discovering those gifts so that I can use them in joyful service. Validation? Yup. For sure.

So, these past few months, I find myself in a place where community means bringing people together. My joy is in “building it”, so that they will come: leading a mom’s prayer group for our school children, gathering a social coffee&pastry mom’s group for conversation and connection and, most recently, hosting a community-wide craft fair that enables us to reach out and make new friends.

Networking. Connecting. Relating. It’s all about community. It’s just up to us how much we are willing to step out and step into our communities. I find the more I step out, the more I grow and value those in my community.

Nonetheless, I’m still learning to tame my type-A personality. And the need to get everything done before community time can happen. But it is getting better. And easier. And well, honestly, when I take the time to meet a friend, it is rewarding, refreshing and I’m re-energized to jump back into the to-do list.

Find time for your community. Your family. Your kids. Your spouse. Your friends. Your mom. Your dad. Bottom line: We all NEED each other.

These are great points (edited) from Dave Ramsey:

Community is Encouraging: You can bring joy and encourage others. Bear their burdens and lift them up. You will be blessed because you care.

Community is Fun!: Yup! Even the Bible says how good it is when God’s people live together in unity (Psalms 133:1).

Community Attracts the Holy Spirit: Not just on Sundays at church, but you can be that light in every community you are a part of. God is with you!

Community is Love: Paul tells us to “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:13–14 NIV).

Community is Life-Giving—and essential to following Christ: We are better together than we are alone (Romans 12:4–5).

Community might be hard for you. But God desire’s community for you. When you allow your relationships to grow, you are also growing closer to Him. Tap into your community. Be a blessing. Get blessed!