Two Steps to a Deeper Community Life

Jamie and I try to walk the dog each day for about an hour. Often, however, our walks take much longer because we bump into people we know and spend time chatting with them.

This morning, I was expressing gratitude to God for living in a place where we know and are known by others. It's taken us a while to get to the place of feeling a part of our community. It's also taken a bit of work. When we first moved to our neighbourhood, almost every time I met a person I'd see again (like a barista or store employee), I'd write their name in my phone so I could refer to it next time I entered the store. Then I'd make a point of addressing them by their name.

This is a unique feeling for me. Never before have I been in a neighbourhood long enough to develop this kind of community. But I like it. I've been enriched by the relationships, and I feel I've been able to enrich others through smiles, asking questions, and being present. But I’ve had to be intentional about it.

To know requires asking questions and listening. To be known requires offering vulnerability.

As I write this, I am mindful that this is exactly how the church is to be to one another - present, mindful, kind, encouraging. Yet I know that this too takes work. Even though Jesus lives in those who follow him, and he connects us in a very powerful way, community still must be intentional.

PAUSE & REFLECT: do you invest yourself into community through knowing or being known? What would it look like for you to be a listener, or to offer yourself through beautiful vulnerability?

Your neighbourhood would be enriched, because you are amazing and worth being known. You also would be enriched, because everyone you encounter is worth being heard. So be present!

Wherever you are, and whomever you’re with, be fully there.

This week, I encourage us move toward community through either presence (asking questions and listening) or vulnerability (sharing self).

In other words, know and be known.

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