To be community...

Westminster Presbyterian Church, Galveston Island, Texas

The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable...
~ 1 Corinthians 12:21-22

Being community takes work.  According to Webster's dictionary, community is, "a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common."  

To be a community of faith, the people must be centered upon a particular belief, but is not always made up of people who are the same.  Welcome to the CHURCH!

I have been moved by faith communities who do not hide their joys and sorrows but make them visible to each other as a gesture of hope.

I am reminded that life is full of ups and downs.  Joys and sorrows.  Community reminds us that we do not have to live these moments alone.  Recently while talking about Baptism and the Lord's Supper with a group, I was reminded that Baptism is often a place of healing within a faith community, as it reminds us of the seal that God has placed upon us.  The Lord's Supper is the place where wholeness occurs.  We remember Christ's life, death and resurrection and the promise that each of us will once again see Jesus face to face.

For me, I am reminded that community is made up of many people, like a mosaic, or the many pieces of glass assembled to create a stained-glass window.   Each piece may seem like it doesn't matter, but yet it does.  Without the different hues, textures, colors, shapes, and even the pieces that may seem worthless or ordinary, we can do little with the individual pieces.  But place them together, and behold, there is a beautiful piece of art, inspiring and spiritual.

Each of us bear the image of a God who has created us.  Each of us together, create a community that makes God visible in the world.

Stay in God's grip!

G. Todd Williams (c) 2019