Daily Devotional

I was sitting in my office at church one morning when the phone rang. I picked it up and heard the voice of a very distraught woman. Through tears she said to me, “Pastor, I lost my job a few weeks ago, and I have no money to buy food for my two children or gas for my car.” I said, “Do I know you?” She said, “I don’t think so.” She went on to tell me her name and why she chose to call our church. She said, “I’ve never been to your church, but I drive by your church on my way to work each morning, so I thought maybe you could help me.” I said, “Why don’t you come by the church this afternoon and we’ll see what we can do.” When she came, I gave her a food voucher for the local grocery store and a gas card. She was so grateful. I went on to ask her about her spiritual pilgrimage and if she was familiar with the love of Jesus Christ. She said, “I came to Christ at a young age, but I left my church a few years ago because of church politics, and I haven’t been back since.” I said, “If you’re a Christ-follower, then you need to be part of a church. It’s where you find community. It’s where you serve others with your spiritual gift. It’s where you practice the one-anothers.” And, I said, “If you are involved in a small community of believers, you get to know others, and they get to know you. You pray for each other, and you meet each other’s needs.” I said, “So, when you need help, rather than cold-calling a church you’ve never been to, and talking to a pastor you’ve never met, you turn to your small community group, and they help you.

Hebrews 10:24-25 24 - "and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near."

In a world where people feel isolated and alone, God has given us a unique opportunity to connect with other believers called the Church. It is a place for loving community. In fact, one of the first acts in Jesus ministry was to establish a community of believers, the disciples. These men transformed the world with the good news of the kingdom of God. During Jesus’ three years of ministry, He modeled what life is like in this new community.

God didn’t create us to do life alone. We are relational beings. Community is God’s plan to change the world. Did Jesus need the disciples to accomplish his work of teaching and healing? No. But God’s plan includes working together. We need each other. And Jesus showed us what this looked like as He took his 12 disciples along with Him in this journey.

Being in a loving community at our church helps us in so many ways. Our friends know us well enough to encourage us when we feel down, they’re there for us when we’re struggling, and we learn to love as Jesus loved. By doing life with other Christians we stay committed to our faith as we are authentic and honest with our struggles. The only way to love others is to live in community.

Some of you might be thinking, “I don’t really have time to be in community right now.” And you may be right. But are you prepared for the garbage life is going to throw at you when you least expect it? Where will you turn when that happens? Are you isolating? Who knows you? Who knows what’s really going on with you? That’s what community is. We get to know each other. We do life together. We follow Christ together. We’re there for each other.

If you’re too busy to be in community at church, then you’re too busy. Make time for community!

New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.