(What does it look like to walk with God in community?)
My Tuesday morning men's group is taking turns these days teaching through the heroes of the faith from Hebrews 11. On Tuesday, we were scheduled to talk about King David. But God had other plans.
- What does it look like to walk with God together in community?
It was clear that God had different plans that morning. One of our guys is being put through the ringer these days. The combination of a longtime family illness, failed-surgery-after-failed-surgery for his young son, & the constant pressure to be a leader in the home & workplace had taken its toll.
- What does it look like to walk with God together in community?
We decided to can the teaching topic that day. (We could pick it up next week.) We talked about life. We heard him share his heart. We wrote down his hopes & dreams & frustrations…turned them into prayer requests…for his son, his wife, himself, his job, his financial needs at home & work. We prayed with him.
- What does it look like to walk with God together in community?
You know…people who aren't CONSISTENTLY making the commitment to meet together with a small group of people…who aren't consistently making the sacrifice of time (because IT IS a sacrifice)…they NEVER have the chance to do this. They aren't around each other enough to develop a repore. They aren't around each other to learn when there's a need. Their OWN choices keep them at arms-length from the people God designed them to support each other. Bottom line — when you CHOOSE to live in a silo, you DON'T help others when THEY need it…and you DON'T receive help when YOU need it.
- What does it look like to walk with God together in community?
So, late last night, 4 guys from my Tuesday morning men's group showed up at our friend's house. (He had talked to his wife to make sure it was OK with her.) Yes, it was late. Yes, we were all tired. But we sat together. We talked together. We hurt together. We rejoiced together. We prayed together. We met with Jesus together.
And it was good.
I loved this. Our small group has become a place to be real, to share our hearts, to laugh together and cry together. The ladies meet for a bible study and the men regularly get together to attend Journey. Brad and I have found this to be the most rewarding small group, to see others grow, to see ourselves grow and to see people truly enjoy coming together and are truly disappointed when they miss. I know it is hard when you don’t seem to find that small group that brings this but I encourage all of those people that God will provide a small group when He is ready and I pray it is a rewarding experience.
Tracie, thanks so much for your story. I am always SO PUMPED to hear about God connecting people together on a deeper level through our small groups ministry!