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“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)

Three years sobriety is celebrated. Cancer pounded at her front door except no one let it in. Smiles across the room that speak to love, once severed and broken, yet fully restored. The oneness that was once division and bound to be a statistic.

The miraculous. We read of it in books. First to stand in line at the movies to gaze upon it. Drawn by the mystery that such miracles would come to us. But they are too far off. Only the fortunate receive the prize and clearly fortune has not befallen us. The crowd exits the theatre, each to his own, and staring at the answer but not seeing it.

Community has been woven into God’s design from the beginning. God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are community. Passover was the start of seven feasts given to the Jewish nation. In gathering at the temple, they made sacrifices, acknowledged God’s ownership of the land and celebrated the harvests provided by God. Acts depicts the New Testament church. Believers devoted themselves to teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Disciples journeyed in pairs. In community, wonders and miracles were seen and the saving grace of Jesus became commonplace.

And today, where social media has redefined relationship, we replace gathering and community with the latest feed or meme. A group text discloses all but the heart of the soul. In contrast, over coffee and conversation, it is community that affords us the opportunity to reveal our tender and broken places. We share how God has faithfully and wonderfully restored the places of hurt that only love can heal. The older encourages the younger; tears fall and prayers are raised. Even correction finds its place. In vulnerability and authenticity, we share our hearts, entrust our trials and treasures to another and reveal the beauty of a Savior’s plan of relationship with each other and with Him. As in Biblical times, we see the wonders and miracles that God bestows on His children. Daily, our faith is renewed, not by stories on the nightly news or far-away places, but by the moments of awe that we experience first-hand.

“Father, may we not forsake the community to which You’ve called us. May we risk self to uncover substance.”

For His Glory

Kathryn Hayman
TRBC Women’s Life