Community, Communication, Communion

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another- and all the more as you seethe Day approaching. James 1:19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Ecclesiastes 4:12 Though one may be over powered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken Community. Coming together for a common cause. This is something we have taken for granted for so long. It is not until we are unable to gather together do we realize just how important community can be. We are called to community; we are created to do life together. While the circumstances have changed, the call and creation has not. Even when we are not able to gather in the same physical space, we are still able to spur one another on towards love and good deeds. We make the choice to adapt, not stagnate. We choose to not give up on one another, or ourselves. Unity is about mind and spirit more so than it is about the physical body. It is time to be obedient AND creative, but how? Community is formed where communication is found and fostered. The key to communication without division lies more in the listening than in the speaking. When we are able to listen to hear the heart rather than listen to respond in the flesh, bonds will form. Bonds of trust, respect, and love. These bonds are what holds community together, and those bonds can be strengthened while we are apart. Be careful how you react to the words of brothers and sisters. Hear what their heart is saying louder than what their fingers are typing. This is a time to find firm foundation on common solid ground (that is Christ) not lean into division and further isolate. Communication is hard. God knew it would be when He created us. He knew we would have a natural inclination to bicker and nit pick one another, especially snappy when under stress. He knew it then and He knows it now, that is why He doesn't just tell His kids TO get along, He tells us HOW to get along. We are not designed to do this alone, and with our brother by our side we can defend ourselves. However, we weren't designed to just live in survival mode, constantly on the defensive.  A three strand cord is not easily broke. Christ is the third strand, the center strand, the anchor. If all of our community and communication are wrapped around communion with Jesus, we will not be quickly broken. God wants His family to do life together, even when we are apart, and He wants to do it with us.