Life together,
has the opportunity to hold a great deal of impact in one’s life.
This leads to ask the question, what type of impact?
And the answer of course depends upon the priorities, values, and community,
specifically biblical community will hold value of living life together.
I’ve reminisced over the years
how God’s faithful hand of providence,
gave me a fresh appreciation
for my cherished sisters and brothers in Christ.
This view of life together continues to mature my
faith, soul, and friendships while involved in group settings
for prayer, worship, and in our ordinary everyday life.
Youth With a Mission,
also held one of the first significant experiences in true Biblical Community.
YWAM engaged their DTS training by teams of brothers and sisters in Christ,
each eager to enjoy God with a pure devoted pursuit,
which marked me in momentous ways with genuine love and honor.
Several examples of personal humility, gentleness,
and geniune kindness to one another in Biblical Community.
This intention not only intrigued me,
but also affirmed the aged truth that you will know
they are Christians by their sincere love.
We learned to apply biblical truth,
being vulnerable and authentic with one another in speaking the truth in love,
to actually pray and worship God openly,
to engage in community service or challenge one another in the spiritual disciplines,
such as accountability while fasting, evangelism, or our studies.
We fought for one another and dreamed together through tearful prayers,
occasionally we took a loss in our monthly budget for another team member or team. It’s a consistent reflection to rejoice with those who rejoice,
and weep with those who weep.
Another unforgettable experience in Groups,
took place while enjoying a career as a flight attendant in Chicago.
A group of flight attendants and I connected to
share a mutual interest in what true Biblical Community
could be together.
We had memorable years,
arranging our schedules to work flights together around the country.
Memories of flight overnights that usually held late discussions lingering within our bible study and prayer.
Our interaction with customers and other flight attendants would sometimes invite an opportunity to talk about their faith struggles,
which frequently opened a door to pray or welcome questions-
why we believe and how to walk it out.
Typical personality conflicts took place,
roommate issues that had to be ironed out,
but in the midst of sharing life together,
God worked in and through it all a powerful gospel-centered community of transformation, healing and restoration in our hearts.
We remain close friends that meet together,
and recall how God worked in us for His glory.
To go and make disciples will require our faith in God to reach out,
to welcome strangers to become family into our homes and hearts.
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We have great memories and dear friends
over the years formed through groups.
We’re still connected with friendships from our first home group
early on in our marriage.
Although life holds many necessary endings and new beginnings,
God provides His presence through rich community.
From common graces of celebrations, young believers, children, difficult struggles,
and even in painful realities of loss and relocation to name a few among us.
“Walk in wisdom towards outsiders, making the best use of the time.
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt,
so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
~Colossians 4:5,6.