We have been at this ComLife thing for about 5 months now with the exception of our three new people and it’s about time we share what we view community is according to our experience. So here it is….
We came into this attempting to build a foundational community built on a loving and Christ centered atomsphere with the Acts 2:42 church as our model. But because we are human, we make mistakes. There may be times when we become defensive and judgemental. I believe that in order to grow into Christ’s image you need accountabilty and what better place with a house of 12 people. Unfortuanately confronting each other with difficult situations can be hard. You don’t want to hurt peoples feelings nor do you want your feelings hurt, secrets and wounds are to be exposed so that we can carry one anothers burdens, but shame seems to almost always find its way in.
The only way to avoid this is to as AIM folks say, “Chose In”. It has to be a choice to allow others to speak into your life, by prayer, a shoulder to cry on, good advice, and sometimes even the occasional, ready to throw something at you but I wont, confrontation. Seth Barnes tells us we have to be each others mirror and give each other feedback. Just the other night Maggie tells me Rosie I am being your mirror, which at first made me want to get crazy and defensive but I had to chose to hear the words of my sister and although it hurt I understood why God needed me to hear that, and of course it becomes a choice to change your attitude and seek the Lord.
The Lengkeeks, some of our awesome AIM mentors gave us a teaching one day that showed us to keep in mind that everyone has a good heart and their intention is not to hurt us but the enemy can spew lies and attacks to make you and the other person see Gods way of life differently. I feel like I am the last person to talk about what community is but when I think about it our human idea of community is completely opposite to Gods and these last 5 months he has graciously given us a glimpse into what he asks of us.
So as Sean Smith puts it, “Love the people in your community, pray corporately, worship corporately, and gain unity”. We are told to love our neighbors and our enemies but the hardest thing to do is love your family. So in this community my main goals are to have a pure Christlike love for my roomates, pray for them more than I pray for myself, show compassion, be there to incourage, listen to deep wounds and to chose into Gods ultimate plan for Community, (because without God we really have no idea).
i love it. i think you hit the nail on the head rosie…without god we really have no idea. here’s to pressing in to all that he has for us and this community!
Rosee,
This is a briliant approach to community enhancement. Your concept is not out of context. Community relationship is what makes us different from animals. Don’t forget this saying, ‘I am, because I belong.’ When life is devoid of relationship interraction, barbarism sets in. The good quality of a good Christian is how much of our life is spent for others.
Keep surging ahead Rosee!
Cheers !
Good word here – and it comes from one who is legitimizing those words because you are yourself “choosing in.” You have lots to teach others as you continue to learn lots!