Community has been on my heart since I attended Allume in October. I have always had a longing to build community, but I hadn’t yet felt the calling to really implement it in my own home town. It is scary and exciting all at the same time. We are introducing some really fun things at our church here in MN and I wait in eager anticipation to see what God will do with and through all of it.

I thought that was what I was going to write about this month, until I experienced community in a completely overwhelming and different way recently. It was unexpected and born out of a trial, but sometimes community looks like a rally cry. And through this I have learned that we are stronger together.

I felt desperate.

But even with the people that I am most comfortable with, I want there to be the appearance of having it all together. (<====Click to Tweet)

Especially as the “leader” of this fine group of women, if I shared my reality…what would they all think?

But God has been showing me all year that I must have full dependence on Him, and sometimes it means that I need to be willing to ask for help.

So I sucked up my pride and sent a message to the women on this team here at GSD’s.

Honestly, I just got chills again as I think about what happened next.

Friends came around me with prayers and encouragement.

They offered to pray for me at specified hours during the day for an entire week!

It was humbling in ways I can’t even describe.

They saw my need and knew that the best way they could support me was with constant intersession.

They brought me to the feet of Jesus time and time again.

I don’t know that I have experienced such peace, so quickly. While the circumstances in my life had not changed, my perspective began to.

Encouragement came in many forms. An email with a favorite scripture verse, a vox to make me laugh, a message shared that was given by God, just for me.

God could have delivered all of these truths to me Himself. But He chose these women, these faithful women, to deliver them instead.

To remind me what community can look like.

To show me the way.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ…And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:2,9-10

This is how God designed us to be, living in community together. Being the hands and feet of the very One who created us. (<====Click to Tweet)

I can now serve better because of you.

I can rally around and support another, because you taught me how.

I will set an alarm on my phone and pray at specific times for those who I am called to pray for. All because you first did it for me.

This is what bearing another’s burdens looks like.

When I couldn’t lift my own arms, you came beside me and held them up. You were my Aaron and my Hur. (Exodus 17)

When I didn’t have the words, you whispered groans on my behalf. You were like the Holy Spirit. (Romans 8: 26-27)

You stood in the gap for me in a real and tangible way and I am forever grateful.

Grateful and challenged to go forward and do the same for others.

To love BIG because I was loved so well.

This, dear friends, is community. May we each come away from times like these with a renewed spirit, and even more importantly, hope.

Are you walking through a tough season? Would you please leave a comment so that I can be praying for you?

 

Shared By: Kristin Smith 

Photo Credit: Jeff Kubina