written by Cambria Delling

I made some great new memories this year at the women’s retreat. My mind is still echoing from the joyful laughter girls and I shared all weekend … in the car, across the dinner table, in the hot tub, at silly stories from our childhood, and as we drifted off to sleep. My heart is still absorbing all the dynamic teaching and lessons whispered to me as I sat and got real with Jesus about my life and fears and dreams. And I’ll never forget watching an amazing sunset that glowed across the water, islands, and snow covered mountains behind Vancouver. Breath-taking!

The most memorable part of the retreat this year though was the experience of true Christian community that I shared with women of all ages and walks in life. I was humbled by how Jesus continually loves me through the lives of others, especially the amazing women He has put in my life.

It made me reflect on times in my life when truly good friends have been scarce and loneliness has been a familiar feeling. I can say I’m in the Summer of Friendship at the moment. Friends are many and abundant and there is both joy and humility from fruitful friendships. There have been seasons of Winter though when my pride and sin caused me to retreat into the reality that exists only in my mind; the place where I go when I don’t want to reach out or be reached out to. When I have chosen bitterness instead of hope, and to be alone instead of in community. In my mind I see myself hiking along a lonely ridge enjoying a great view off to one side and then seeing groups of laughing, loving believers on another path. “Well, they’re missing out on this great view,” I tell myself. However the truth is, I’m missing out on enjoying them, learning from them, and letting Jesus work in me through them.

Over a few years time I have slowly opened my heart more to sharing in community and realized how important it is to be able to love others like Jesus loved us, and to learn how to allow others to love me. Is it easy? Not always. The more open I become to others, the more I share my heart and life, the more room there is for hurt. But that really hasn’t been my experience. I can truly say that through opening my heart to correction and encouragement and love from my community I feel as though I have learned to experience life as Jesus really intended – with others, not alone!

Are you in community? Are you truly open to your community or do you just them as a social group? Does the following passage describe the way that you experience Christian community? Galatians 6 provides a great outline of the benefits of being in community:

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

In community, there is a loving provision for correction – submit yourself to your brothers and sisters in Christ, knowing that fruit will come from allowing them to restore you in a spirit of gentleness!

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

In community we don’t have to do it alone! We can bear the burdens of others and bring our own to be carried by the group. There is a gentle give-and-take that happens when members begin to look out for the needs of others instead of focus simply on themselves.

For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Being part of community is a great way to learn humility – I’m not as great as I think I am … and seeing myself in the mirror that my community provides if a sure way for me to see clearly where I am being prideful.

But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.

Community is a great way to learn how to share in trials, responsibilities, and dreams with others. I have seen Jesus work in amazing ways in my community group this past year – individuals who used to never want to step up and help out are now in leadership and happily serving the needs of others.

One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches.

My community group is a great place for us to all share the “good things” that Jesus is doing in our hearts and lives with each other. My experience has been that the more I share with others the more I actually learn from my own circumstances.

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Community is where we find opportunities to bless others – by listening and living alongside another believer we will begin to hear the Spirit’s gentle calling to bless and love that person the way that Jesus would. The opportunities for doing good to bless others abound in community!

I am the first to admit – sometimes being in community is very hard. I have been both blessed and hurt by the people in my community. At times people do let me down, talk behind my back, and do things that are unloving. But we are a community of sinners! In times of hurt are opportunities for forgiveness, growth, and encouragement. So do not let grudges, hesitancy, or a hard heart keep you from being in community. Do not let and unloving spirit and pride keep you thinking that you are better than that or that community cannot meet your needs.

It can’t, but Jesus can, and will, through community.