Community
Eeek…
what a big word…
I pondered quite a while trying to figure out a proper metaphor for
living in community. Finally, I gave up as everything that I came up with
related to the shower (I was in the shower thinking about what to write in this
blog entry.) To tell you the truth, I think that the reality that I need to be
living in community was lost to me after I left college. I got so caught up in
my every day struggles that I conveniently forgot that I NEED community. Recently,
my life slowed down significantly and I started to ask myself the question, “where
did all my friends go?” I forgot what it was like to just BE with people, and not just because I need their help with my many
crises.
This week, I had the opportunity to hang out with a few people whom I
am just starting to get to know, around a bonfire, drink some cold beer, and
pull out an old guitar and sing every song that we knew from the 90s just
because it was a fun thing to do. In the moment, there were no worries about bills
being due, what we were dealing with at work, or our other miscellaneous duties
during the week; we were living in the moment. It is absolutely ridiculous that
we get so busy in our lives that we forget to actually LIVE. Furthermore, we forget what it is like being with people just
for the sake of enjoying their presence. After this fun bonfire, the host of
the bonfire asked me later in the week if I had fun, and suggested that we do
something similar in the future. (Ummm… HECK
YES!) I started thinking later that perhaps the reason for this future
invitation is because we just
enjoyed each other’s presence.
For a while now, I’ve been asking God what it would be like to
approach him just to BE with him for the sake of enjoying his presence. Too
often, I just approach God in my need taking no notice of my need to live in
community with him. I think that this bonfire experience is exactly the example
of how we are to live in community with God. It’s so simple. Live in community with God. Ask what is on God’s mind rather than
blurting out everything you are feeling because of your crises. Sing to or rather serenade God just
because it’s a fun thing to do. Goof off!
It’s okay to be silly with God!
Often, I have heard it said both by people and the bible that God
delights in his children. Have you ever considered what you enjoy about
children? Being a Nanny, I am around a child all day long. One thing that warms
my heart is how something that can seem soooooo small to an adult is such a big
deal to a child. Many times I have watched Noah play with his toys while he was
playing. All I can do is smile because with every moment he is learning how to
do things. Suddenly, Noah takes notice to my watching his every move and gently
smiling at him. EVERY time, this event is met with excitement; he goes NUTS! His
arms flail, his feet pound the carpet, and he lets out a shriek of joy (not
unlike a monkey… ha-ha). Naturally, my response is to laugh and play along. In
short, I take joy in him enjoying my presence.
So I guess my point is… it’s time to act like a kid again! GO NUTS!
