Why You Need Community
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Community. It’s kind of a buzzword right now.
What is it? Why do we need it? How can you be a part of it?
Here’s the thing, we weren’t meant to do life by ourselves!
We can even see this in the Bible.
Acts 2:46-47 ASV
46 And day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved.
The early church lived in a community. Jesus lived in a community. He had his 72, His 12 disciples, and His 3 inner circle–Peter, James, and John. There were even others that followed Jesus, including women who supported His ministry.
In a digital culture, we can be connected yet still feel alone. Now more than ever, we need Community.
What is Community?
A community is a group of people with like interests or heritage. It’s a place you can be yourself, be unconditionally loved, contribute your gifts and talents, and learn from one another.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NIV
Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
Community is a place where we love one another just as they are, yet love them enough to not let them stay there.
I know, a community can feel scary. It’s unknown, you could be exposed or you could get hurt. What if you don’t fit in? What if they see the real you and don’t like what they see?
I felt the same way for decades. I was hurt by my closest group of friends when I was younger and that baggage created a deep-seated fear that kept me from enjoying a community. I was too afraid to show my real self for fear of being rejected again.
Oh, I had friends, acquaintances, people I could chat with. But, I would only let them in so far. I would only go so deep.
And, you know what? I felt lonely–all the time. I craved true community.
It may feel safer on our own, but in reality, together we are stronger than by ourselves.
John 13:34-35 AMP
34 I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are My disciples if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.”
How can we enjoy community even if we’ve been burned before?
Openness is created through vulnerability and community is created through openness.
When we are brave enough to be vulnerable, we help others feel safe enough to do the same.
Now that I’ve learned to be vulnerable, God’s given me a community that I feel loved unconditionally and I can love them unconditionally.
Not only that, I get to be my real self, and I’m applauded for being me instead of being rejected. There is incredible freedom in being able to be yourself and it’s way more fun.
And, I get to use my gifts to help others too.
1 Peter 4:10 NLV
10 God has given each of you a gift. Use it to help each other. This will show God’s loving-favor.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 AMP
12 And though one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
If you’re craving community, don’t give up. Keep looking, keep trying, keep opening up.
You might find your community at church. You might find your community among a group with similar interests like I did. The important thing is you find community.
It’s time to embrace community, embrace the gift that we are to each other, and watch how we flourish.
I want to leave you with a quote from Jim Rohn
“Each of us needs all of us and all of us needs each of us.” – Jim Rohn
Until next time, Live Fearlessly Free.
Discussion
Have you found a community or are you still looking? Share below what your community looks like or what you want your community to look like?
My community is Women of Audacious Faith. It's a community of faith-based businesswomen and entrepreneurs. I share below more about it in case that's the kind of community you're looking for.
Resources
Audacious Faith – A Christ-Centered Business Community For Women
Are you a faith-based businesswoman or entrepreneur looking for a community yet don't know where to start? Maybe you tried a few and never fit it, or worse, still felt lonely?
I want to introduce you to Women of Audacious Faith. This is the community where I discovered what true community is. I can't begin to tell you how much I've grown over the last 2 1/2 years by being a part of this community of like-minded women. I found close friends, accountability partners for my life and business, mentors, inspiration, practical training and fun, all while getting to mix my faith and business. If you're a businesswoman or entrepreneur looking for your community, you can find out more here. Feel free to email me with questions at heather@heatherlbunch.com.
For more information or to join Women of Audacious Faith: https://myaudaciousfaith.com/join/