Well, it is in our DNA, our genetics to want to connect because God created us that way. He created us for companionship. How do I know this? Well, he created us in His image and he created us for Him. Then he created Adam and he felt he needed a companion so he created Eve. I also know this because within each of us there is a desire, a desire for others in our life.
Some people just do not think they can get involved with a group and they just want that one companion, and all they ever want is their mate in life and that is enough for them.
Others want to have children for companionship so they can give them and receive the reciprocity of love that they so desire, but in the end, God is what you truly look for and I pray you find.
Then, one day you realize you need community, you need others in your life, it makes your life more full and you realize this at some point in your life.
Some have walls up because they have been hurt and only want a little bit of community and friendships....others go all in. Regardless, God created us for community, and to have others in our life.
Many people are looking for those network of friends, that mom group, that exercise group, that foodie group, that book club, that PTA or PTO group, that work group.... I could go on and on.
Then there is church or a spiritual community. Many people search for that too. They search for spiritual community companionship. Spiritual health is very much a part of a healthy lifestyle and most people realize that and they seek community. They want to be a part, they want that connection, that "church family" or do they?
When you get close to people in a life group, or Bible study- it can get messy.
Most people want to be around people just like them, but sometimes there's that strange church member, that homeless person, that impoverished person in your midst and it feels like a weird aunt or uncle or cousin in your life group or church and sometimes you have to interact with them and that is just not what you signed up for.
Community yes, but only people who are just like me, right?
I want to ask you something, did Jesus only eat and break bread with people just like him? No, and I feel like He is our best example. He is always our best example and we overlook this fact because we are not comfortable. It makes us uncomfortable to be around people that are different than we are and some of us do our best to avoid them, others try to fix and give, exhausting themselves trying to improve others .
I want to challenge you, (if you love others and I am sure that you do or you would not be seeking community), to just love...... most people are wanting to be loved and accepted for who they are, not who you think they should be or who you want them to be, but just love them.
Yes, you may have to read the book "Boundaries" by Henry Cloud if people want too much and cling too much to you, but interacting with people that are different than us only make us better, it creates a more well-rounded character within us, it allows us to self reflect and practice empathy that is so lacking in the world today.
So I want to ask you, are you really looking for community even if it's messy at times?
Are you looking for real people, with real problems who all meet together and share God in common? If you are, then you are ready for that church family. They are waiting on you.
If you look for me whole heartedly, you will find me. Jeremiah 29:13
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