I've spent the majority of today by myself: Waking up after my roommate left. Waiting in a coffee shop for a few hours. Window-shopping. Actually shopping. Grading quizzes. Feeding pets. Trying to cancel a wedding channel registry.
But I haven't been alone all day. Now, I'm not even talking about the theological sense of not being alone. Strictly speaking, the Holy Spirit is always with us, the Counselor sent by Christ. Then there's the concept of an omnipresent God. I mean, one of my favorite verses is at the end of Matthew, "and lo, I am with you always."
No, today has been filled with intentional encounters. God gave me time to pray. Uninterrupted time. This morning, as I left voicemails and text messages, I realized the blessing to experience sweet community. A family shared a table with me in a busy coffee shop this morning. As we began to talk, we realized how connected our lives are in this community of 170,000 people.
Then, wandering down to a bookstore, a clerk shared her passion for education and the North Kitsap area. A little later, she asked my advice to help another customer find a good travel guide. Finally checking out, she let me know of a local author who may make classroom visits. This is my community.
Farther along the street in my window-shopping adventure, I stopped at the Scandinavian Store. (Only in Poulsbo...) The troll knick-knacks and Norwegian flags reminded me of my grandparents' house, so I called and caught up on life with my Grammy. A morning that I had worried would be a lonely solo grading-fest was transformed into an object lesson of community.
Later, a friend met me at Subway to share lunch and prayers. This evening, I sharedwith 15 of the most passionate Christ-lovers I've ever met. And tonight, I'm planning an adventure to visit an old, dear friend as she prepares for her wedding this summer. Psalm 133:1 proclaims, "O how good it is when brothers live in unity."
Community doesn't have to be 24-7 eye contact. Just a way of life.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
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Ephesians 5
Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting – all of which are out of character – but rather thanksgiving. For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light – for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth – and find out what pleases the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. But all things being exposed by the light are made evident. For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says:
“Awake, O sleeper!
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you!”
Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is. And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church – he himself being the savior of the body. But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, so that he may present the church to himself as glorious – not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, for we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
I love this post. My spirit agrees - community is exactly that. Your insights are sound and deep.
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