Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others] (1 Peter 4:8 AMP).
Connection, collaboration, communication, acceptance, compassion, respect, support, safety, shared values, inclusion, kindness, tolerance, understanding, and inspiration are a few words that come to mind when I think of community. Our communities need to be healed, and we can start by healing our own souls so that we can walk in authentic love.
As we bring our journey to a close, I want to talk to you about what I believe is the nearest and dearest thing to God’s heart: Building authentic community.
Building community is not a political or economic process, but purely spiritual and relational. It is ultimately about corporate destiny—our destiny as a collaborative entity. It is about living and working together so that we can make this world a better place for everyone.
When you build community, there is no big “I” and little “you,” but simply “we” and “us.”
This is what living in community is all about. It’s God’s best will for His people. It’s what floods the world with light and turns it upside right.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.—Marianne Williamson
ACTION STEPS
| From this day forward, how will you shine a little brighter? Describe what that might look like and the affect it could have on the people you encounter. |
| Change begins one thought, one soul, one life at a time. What is the one thought you can adopt that could change everything? What will be the new story you tell as a result? |
| How can you start a conversation in your community—whether it is the workplace, church, neighborhood, or school—about living more authentically? |
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples (John 13:35 NLT).
We can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing (2 Thessalonians 1:3 NLT).