I have a need. It seems.
Recently I joined a bloggers group called the Fellowship of Devotional Bloggers. It’s a collection of blogs that are meant to encourage or build up. My blog had to be approved. What Surprised me was how delighted I was when I got Accepted. I mean, what’s the big deal? I’m in a few bloggers’ groups. But it isn’t just another bloggers’ group. I realised that what mattered to me was acceptance. And value. I am accepted and valued. It surprised me that I needed to hear that and it got me thinking. I was already accepted and valued. I know it in the core of my being. I am a Christian. Even though I was a pretty rotten person on the inside, God accepted me because of the price Jesus paid for me and when I accepted that, God accepted me. With open arms. The birth He wrought within me and the way He continues to forge change, declare my sonship. The Holy Spirit within me as a constant presence. When you’ve been born again, you know it. So I was surprised to discover a subconscious need for value and acceptance. The realisation that something was missing. My conclusion is this – what is missing is community. Yeah, I have friends but my closest friends live farthest away. My wife is my best friend and she and my daughter are the most precious things this side of Heaven. I have church... sort of... And therein lay my discovery.
I am involved in the kid’s ministry so I’m a part of it all but my church is huge. I have a friend I meet with weekly to pray but he is so busy and often cancels. Recently he’s moved house further away, making connecting more awkward. I am not in any kind of small group... There. Right there. That’s what’s missing. Community happens in the small groups. People sharing each other’s burdens, helping, comforting, encouraging, teaching, learning, training, solving, trusting, nurturing, caring. Value. Acceptance. I know this. I used to lead small groups, years ago. And now here I am, out of community, wondering what’s missing...
This post first appeared on It's Honestly Not That Complicated., please read the originial post: here
