If you are too busy to be part of a community, then you are too busy. You will pay the price in the long run. It is like saying, “I am in such a hurry to get where I need to go, I don’t have the time to stop and get gas.”
I don’t know about you, but in all the times I’ve gone through heartache, celebrations, career progression or even family deaths, it was always much easier, and I was able to still enjoy life, when I had a community; a small group behind me. These are people who know the deepest parts of you, and they care about you for bigger reasons than that you are pleasant, funny, or attractive.
Community is a lot more than a casual friendship with a few people. Community involves serving one another, bearing each other’s burdens in love, and not being afraid of vulnerability. People in community know the deepest parts of each other because they all share a common denominator—an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
Community is different than belonging to a club, being on a team, or gathering with a group of associates. It’s not just a group of people you hang out with on a regular basis. All these groups serve a purpose and are good, but community is different at the heart. It’s not about the people in themselves or the activities you do together, it’s about the quality and depth of your bond and the commitment you share.
Community is the best thing—you might even say the only thing---in life that develops and shapes us into the people that God has destined us to be. Think of the many, many things that can’t be learned in a class or from a book, things we learn only through living life with other people whom we trust. We grow through conversations with accountability partners, studying God’s Word and working together, serving each other, and loving the world.
Community allows me to choose a comfortable and loving set of boundaries around my life and actions that help push me in the right direction. I don’t believe the season of life I’m currently in (a blessed and satisfying marriage, adult children who are my friends and finding their own fulfilling places to live and grow, leading the mission of the incredible group of people at New Pointe) would have panned out the way it has, if it were not for the community surrounding me, praying for me, challenging me, and sacrificing for me. And I am blessed and grateful to be able to say that I have done the same for them.
Sunday, February 13, we are kicking off another opportunity to become very intentional in finding a group so you can begin to live in community. I can’t urge you too strongly to do this. Do it for six weeks. If then you find it isn’t a good fit or is not beneficial, then stop. But for your own growth and good, at least try. We were created for relationships, we were created for community, and we were created to do life with others. To do life alone is dangerous. Someone needs to know me and walk with me.
Building community connections is what I do every single day. I know myself well enough to be aware that if I am not connecting with a group of people who know me and understand me, I will have serious issues in staying emotionally and mentally healthy.
I think we can all agree that this year emphasized the importance of connection and relationships. For many, it was a time of complete isolation outside the norm. Suddenly, people all over the world were having to adjust and are dealing with emotional and mental health issues. People everywhere are realizing the impact everyday socialization has on their lives. Numerous studies have proven the importance of community and interaction for overall mental and physical health.
In the midst of our growing isolation, social-media emphasis grew exponentially. Overall social-media usage saw an increase of 25% among adults in the U.S. For the first time ever, people had to rely on social media to stay connected. It spurred creative movements across platforms like Zoom, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. People began “going live” on platforms to connect with their friends and family at home for special occasions. We also saw the power of connecting via virtual (and drive-through) graduations, happy hours, birthdays, and more.
People found that coming together virtually, though not the same, did make an impact and helped them cope with the changes and challenges brought on by COVID. Staying consistently connected and expressing affection has been linked to decreasing stress and high blood pressure. By reaching out and keeping up, we all help create a stronger community in a time of uncertainty. As a leader, that’s my responsibility for myself, and then to enable you to do so.
If you haven’t already, I am urging you to take some time to connect with someone important in your life today. Whether it be via email, text, call, or social media—Connect! It’s the small, daily interactions that can boost us up and through these lonely times. And then get to church and sign up for a small group to build regular community. A year from now I predict your strength and satisfaction will have grown measurably, and you will be so glad you did.
To join a group, go to newpointe.org/groups or attend the Groups Kickoff on Sunday, February 13, available during both services.