The Community

The idea of this is that we're a family and we make it through together.

I'm sorry, you probably expected me to preface this somehow.

I'm not.

We're supposed to love each other and if we don't, we're liars (1 John 4:20). This love is the mark of our discipleship and connection to Jesus (John 13:35). There are sometimes that I get tired of having to pray alone and cry alone and/or rejoice alone because I have no connection to community.

Yes, that is partly my fault.

The fact is, however, that even on this seemingly remote island, I am touched with your grief and I am bound to your joy as if it were my own and that said, it's frustrating to have a family so big and be able to speak to no one. I know that I wake up sometimes and I feel like the most lonely person on the planet, but the devil is a liar.

How dare I just disconnect myself from the body because I'm having a bad day or spurn my responsibility to the Kingdom as a whole because my family makes me mad and work is stressful and... The fact is, my struggle are personal, but they are not private. They are not hidden from the Body, but the Body shares them all. If I do not speak, the Body suffers anyway.

By the way, yes I did just say, responsibility to the Kingdom. We aren't just called out and anointed to be Christians and eventually get to heaven after living through all of this madness on earth. We have a job to do (Romans 8:18-23) and part of that job -- the biggest part of that job -- is to love each other.

Love. Not tolerate. Not mildly like. Not "fellowshipping" in the church and not communicating all week even though you only live a block away from each other as if you don't exist to each other Monday through Saturday. Love. Love like it's your family. Love like there is no tomorrow. Love like your standing in the Kingdom depends on it.

I'm tired of living like I'm alone and unable to be understood (even though parts of me are). I'm tired of praying. Sometimes, I'd like one of you to pray for me or lay hands on me or speak blessing to and over me.

Believe me when I say, I do the same for you and would have no problem doing so if you asked.

I want to be alive in this kingdom and that means connection that I desperately seek. Specifically to all of you, my Body.