Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Community

There have been some things in my life lately that have left me feeling alone, isolated; but God has brought back into my life an old friend who is able to help me see things more clearly. Then last night a friend caught me on Facebook and both have helped me realize that I truly am not alone, there are others who are going through the same experiences.

What I remembered last night while chatting online with my friend is that without community we truly do stand alone. The Bible encourages us to share one another's burden (Galatians 6:2) and yet our society tells us to keep our burdens to ourselves, to not bother others with our lives or our stories. Last night as my friend and I chatted she kept apologizing for bothering me with her stories, with her pain. I do the same thing, I bury my pain deep inside me and then wonder why I feel isolated from the world and my friends.

If we do not speak up, if we do not talk to others about all the things in our lives, good and bad, then we do not have community and it is our own fault for it. If I share with you only the good I make you a fairweather friend in my head, if I am willing to be vulnerable enough to share with you the negative in my life then I give you the opportunity to help me bear burdens, as the Bible asks us all to. When I keep silent, then I deprive you of that same opportunity.

A true community shares all of life, hiding nothing from itself. When we do not stand up for each other, care for each other and bear the burdens of our neighbours we have a superficial community that will not stand up for long against the trials of the world. It will fall apart and leave us without even the semblance of a safe place.

I encourage you to step outside of your fears, be vulnerable and share some of your fears and burdens with those in your community. If you feel completely isolated, chose one or two safe people to be vulnerable with (call a hotline if you need to!) and reach out to those around you, parents, siblings, coworkers, friends. It will change your life for the better.

I am participating in Blog Carnival. Today's word to write on is: Community. If you want to take part, or to read the amazing posts from fellow bloggers, please go here and immerse yourself in the wonder and the magic of being connected to an amazing community of thoughtful folk here in cyberland.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sarah, I think this is so true:

"A true community shares all of life, hiding nothing from itself"

Thank you for being so honest and sharing your feelings. This is a great addition to the carnival!

Louise Gallagher said...

Hello Sarah!

How wonderful to see you here as part of the Blog Carnival community.

I am glad to share, the good and the bad, the indifferent and the not so cool with you!

I love what you wrote. As Bridget said -- thank you!

Louise

SLM Moss said...

Thank you ladies for your feedback.

Louise, I am blessed to have you as part of my community! Thanks.

Peter P said...

"A true community shares all of life, hiding nothing from itself"

EXACTLY!!

Thanks for joining this blog-carnival community!

Me said...

Well said! Even prior to the carnival I was looking at what community meant as we leave our church to find another closer to where we live. Not being known, there can be no community.

Thanks for being part of the carnival!

SLM Moss said...

Thanks Jaime. I hope you are able to find a true church community where you are. It makes a world of difference!