Exchanged, Experienced & Expressed
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:14-16
Insight
The dream of community is a beautiful one – a vision of belonging, support, and shared purpose. We long for deep connections, a sense of being known and understood. However, the reality of community often falls short of our idealized expectations, and we find ourselves facing growing pains as we learn to trust and be trusted.
Personal transformation and growth is not just an individual pursuit; it has a ripple effect on our collective contribution to the world around us. Our thoughts, attitudes, and actions contribute to the overall harmony or disharmony of the community. Just as a single stone tossed into a still pond creates ripples that spread outward, our choices shape the environment we share with others.
Our shared identity as a community comes with a profound responsibility to care for, uplift, and support one another. Christ-centered community is where God’s love is exchanged, experienced, and expressed. This new type of community demands intentional nurturing and cultivation. Our actions, or inactions, have consequences that extend beyond ourselves, impacting the fabric of our community and even beyond its boundaries.
In a world that has been worn down by broken trust and fractured relationships, trustworthiness has become a high standard when it should be a fundamental aspect of our humanity. Being trustworthy involves active engagement and a willingness to be vulnerable. It also requires us to receive others with a grace-filled response when they are being vulnerable. The deep goal of true community is experiencing trusted, formative connections built through the intentional work of sharing ourselves with others and inviting them to share themselves with us.
Knowing and being known is a two-way street. It is our responsibility to share our stories, our struggles, and our triumphs with others, but we also should create space for others to do the same. We must ask others to tell us what they see in us, to hold up a mirror and reflect back the blind spots we cannot perceive on our own.
The relationships we are made for necessitate our time, our energy, and our commitment. They demand our investment and our presence. Community is not a static entity; it is a dynamic, living organism that must be nurtured and tended to with care and intention.
As we navigate the growing pains of learning to trust and be trusted within our communities, let us remember that belonging is not merely a state of existence; it is a responsibility we all share. It is a journey of vulnerability, courage, and perseverance, but it is a journey worth taking, for it is in community that we discover the depths of our shared humanity and the beauty of being known and loved.
Reflection
How can you create more space for vulnerability and sharing within your relationships?
What steps can you take to foster more trust and trustworthiness within your circles of community?
Further Practice
If you are interested in furthering today’s practice, ask a close friend or family member to reflect back to you an area of growth or blind spot they perceive in you. Intentionally share a vulnerable part of your story with someone you trust, and invite them to do the same. Practice active listening by giving your undivided attention to someone as they share, without formulating a response.
Prayer
Gracious God, cultivate within us a deep sense of belonging and responsibility towards one another. May our thoughts, words, and actions contribute to the harmony and flourishing of our community. Guide us in the journey of being known and knowing others, that we may experience the profound beauty of authentic connection. Amen.