The Habit of Community
“Discover creative ways to encourage others and to motivate them toward acts of compassion, doing beautiful works as expressions of love. This is not the time to pull away and neglect meeting together, as some formed the habit of doing. In fact, we should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as we anticipate that Day dawning.”
The Passion Translation of Hebrews 10:24-25
There is a shift being felt right now in the culture of our communities. One of the most significant changes brought about by the pandemic of 2020 was our withdrawal from social interactions and gatherings. However, as Christian women, we know that our faith is not meant to be lived in isolation.
On one hand, we see the negative social effects of the pandemic with some people still afraid to enjoy community with one another, ones that have embraced a habit of isolation for one reason or another; past hurts, fear of vulnerability and more. On the other hand we see so many who are craving community with others because that is what we are created for, relationship. We were created by a relational God to be relational beings.
I truly believe that women gathered with other women, in living rooms, with their Bibles open, change the world! Being in relationship with other women makes an impact not only in our lives, but the lives of the community around us, the believing and unbelieving.
Let's look at the word habit. There are several definitions.
Repetitive Action - A way of acting fixed through repetition
Ritual - a usual manner of behaving or doing
Addiction - a physiological need for a certain thing
Shape - the type of body that a person has
Clothes - covering for a human body
As we look at those definitions, we can see a progression of importance and change. Let’s use the definitions above and see what that would look like in our lives as we live out a habit of community with one another.
Repetitive Action: Meeting together regularly allows for deeper friendships, accountability, encouragement, wisdom, guidance, prayer support, worship, discipleship and the list can go on!
Ritual: Meeting on the same day at the same time allows for stability and structure in your busy schedules. It helps make community a priority, a rock in your calendar.
Addiction: By practicing the first two things, you will then find yourself physically desiring the time with each other. You will grow intimate friendships and desire the joy of the community more and more.
Shape: As you develop the habit of the first three definitions, your physical appearance will change. You will grow a “Glory Glow.” You’ll have more joy and peace which will supply you more energy for your day and even give you an overflow for others. (Romans 15:13)
Clothes: Women of God, coming together in community, will become an unstoppable army. You will be able to collectively clothe yourself with the armor of God, being ready for any of the fiery arrows satan tries to throw your way. There is nothing better that putting on your godly war paint for each other and suiting up for battle together. An army of women, doing God’s work, is a mighty force.
If we use those definitions to guide us into a habit of spiritual growth, when we gather together with other christian women, we will look very different, not only to each other but also to the world around us.
How incredible is it to see just a few of the benefits of contending for community! Let’s not stop meeting together, or in some cases, it’s time to start meeting together. Friendship is such a gift to ourselves and others. Gather a group of women to sit in your living room and dive deep into God’s Word. We are encouraged by Paul to have a habit of community! Contending for community is not “hard work” but rather “heart work.”
There is a big difference between “living” life together and “doing” life together. Do you have a group of women that you “do life” with?
Pray that the Lord will help you to find other women to connect with in friendship. Pray that God will open doors and show you ways you can create a habit of community in the different areas (circles of influence) in your life.
“The believers spent their time listening to the teaching of the apostles. They shared everything with each other. They ate together and prayed together. Many wonders and miraculous signs were happening through the apostles, and everyone felt great respect for God. All the believers stayed together and shared everything. They sold their land and the things they owned. Then they divided the money and gave it to those who needed it. The believers shared a common purpose, and every day they spent much of their time together in the Temple area. They also ate together in their homes. They were happy to share their food and ate with joyful hearts. The believers praised God and were respected by all the people. More and more people were being saved every day, and the Lord was adding them to their group.”
Easy to Read Version of Acts 2:42-47
