Good Grace
Consistent, faithful, real, and committed community is essential to Christian life. It may be less convenient to be in community with fellow believers right now, but its importance still remains. Fellowship with one another is so important, and I would argue more so now than ever.
Take a moment to read these verses in Ecclesiastes and Hebrews, meditate, journal, and reflect.
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:19-25
The reality is God can build His Kingdom anywhere. In your church, at your job, in your home, in the locker room, in a classroom, and even on Zoom (video chat)…”For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” Matthew 18:20. We need to get close, stay close, and get deep with our community—no matter where it is. In this season of life, this could mean Zoom discipleship, online church, or facetime coffee dates. How blessed are we to have the kind of technology that allows us to do this, while social distancing? Let’s use this blessing to be in community with one another!
I know from personal experience, that having a community of believers has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. It is so clear how God uses the people in my life to point me back to Him and to challenge me in my walk with Him. I know that when I start to doubt His goodness or run from His presence, my community will be right there to encourage me. My walk with God would be much more difficult if I was on an island by myself, and I thank God that I’m not! I feel incredibly blessed to have people all around me to point me back to the Truth. I am thankful that church doesn’t have to be in person to feel like a community. I am thankful that a building doesn’t make a church a “church”, but that the body of believers make up the church. I am thankful that God created us to be people who desire community.
As people who are partners under God’s Word, we can speak the truth to one another in love (Ephesians 4:15) spur one another on (Hebrews 4:22-25), carry each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), humbly serve one another (Romans 12:3-8), and discern what is the will of God (Philippians 1:10 & 1 Thessalonians 5:14). Oh, what a joy it is to do life with people like this! It is only by the grace of God that we can even have relationships like this!
Don’t let the “not feeling it today” keep you away from community. This is when you need it the most. Just because you can’t go to church physically right now, doesn’t mean you should neglect the important weekly habit of corporate Worship, Community Group, or Bible Study. Let the means of God’s grace consume you as you hear His word preached, pray, and join together with others in community (even if it’s virtually). Tune into live church, join your Bible Study on Zoom, and continue to press into the gift God has given us through relationships with people. If you don’t have a strong community, I want to encourage you to seek one out. It is so important for us to be in community right now!
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17
“But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13
Reflection Question(s): Is there someone you could reach out to today & encourage them in their walk with the Lord? Think of how you can spur your friend/family member/co-worker/classmate on in their faith and call or text them—let them know you are praying for them. Let them know they have you as a friend who will speak truth and life into their situation. Let them know they aren’t alone, even though isolation has been really hard.
Today’s Worship Song: Good Grace— Jeremy Camp
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhKSRIvDFI0
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/7nzmXUrZwSOJPNmV0mOmEn?si=boczf3Y5QqerJ9JmpTdKjw
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/good-grace-radio-edit/1469084473?i=1469085317
If you’re reading this and you’re a student at UF, please reach out to me about finding community during this time. I would love to help you get plugged in with one of the many campus ministries, or help you find a virtual Bible Study!
Please continue to send prayer requests my way! If you have any questions about what you read today, or just want to chat, my email is: blrich1399@gmail.com
With Love,
Brooke
