"It is true, of course, that what is an unspeakable gift of God for the lonely individual is easily disregarded and trodden under foot by those who have the gift every day. It is easily forgotten that the fellowship of Christian brethren is a gift of grace, a gift of the Kingdom of God that any day may be taken from us, that the time that still separates us from utter loneliness may be brief indeed... It is grace, nothing but grace, that we are allowed to live in community with Christian brethren."If you remember, I was in a desperate place. I had realized how many hidden doubts and fears I was keeping. When these came to the surface, there were just too many. I couldn't handle it, I couldn't begin to process them all. Like I said before, things were really going downhill. . .
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Life Together)
I had to talk with someone besides myself. I had literally thought and worried myself into a corner. There was nothing else I could do.
So, the next place I turned to was my community.
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A good community is very healthy. I stress good because not all friends and fellowship are good. A good community should:
- Allow members to freely express doubts, fears and challenges.
- Confess with each other.
- Point each other back to biblical truths and eradicate lies the members believe.
- Serve each other
- Challenge each other to live out what they believe.
- Commit themselves to each other's growth.
- Have dance parties together.
Bonhoeffer explains this very well:
"The most experienced psychologist or observer of human nature knows infinitely less of the human heart than the simplest Christian who lives beneath the Cross of Jesus. The greatest psychological insight, ability, and experience cannot grasp this one thing: what sin is. Worldly wisdom knows what distress and weakness and failure are, but it does not know the godlessness of man. And so it also does not know that man is destroyed only by his sin and can be healed only by forgiveness. Only the Christian knows this. In the presence of a psychiatrist I can only be a sick man; in the presence of a Christian brother I can dare to be a sinner. The psychiatrist must first search my heart and yet he never plumbs its ultimate depth. The Christian brother knows when I come to him: here is a sinner like myself, a godless man who wants to confess and yearns for God’s forgiveness. The psychiatrist views me as if there were no God. The brother views me as I am before the judging and merciful God in the Cross of Jesus Christ." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Life Together)Community is under-appreciated. But, it really is a blessing when worked out properly. I highly recommend Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The man has some practical ways to live out deep, thoelogical truths. Very good stuff for any community.
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A year ago, in the Forge, I had the 'dream-team' community. There were twenty-four of us, dedicated to each other, teaching, challenging, inspiring, and rebuking one another. Twenty-three other solid rocks for when one of us was not so solid.
Today, my community is much smaller, but still effective.
So, after two days of struggling with all of this alone, I finally sent out a few emails and made a few phone calls. I met up with a really close friend. I spilled out all of these crazy thoughts and doubts and fears I had been steeped in. And, honestly, being vulnerable never felt so good.
And here's the amazing thing. My friend didn't need to give me an answer from some deep theological proof. In fact, half of the healing was in his listening. As I sorted everything out in my mind to explain things, just talking about them made many things clearer.
When we did talk, it was about simple truths and promises in the Bible. Nothing deep. I had heard what he told me before, but now I really heard them. The words really were a Rock I was clinging to. Like Psalm 40 says: "He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand."
After our conversation, I talked with others in my close community. And slowly, more answers came.
So, wherever you are, find a community. Not only will you need it one day, but you can bless those who are currently struggling. A community is one of the best investments you could make. Find one, or start making one.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. -- Hebrews 10:24-25
1 comment:
I love this. Community is such a sweet gift... lean into the honesty and confession brother!
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