I have found myself trying to isolate lately as I embark on this radiation journey. (See more at: Navigating Breast Cancer Part 1 and Part 2). I almost skipped church last week. I got dressed and ready, and then it was like, “Can’t I just stay home?” The thought lingered for a moment. I could put my pajamas back on, put on my slippers, and then watch it live on YouTube. Then I heard Holy Spirit say to me, “But those are the people who pray for you.” That did it. I was wrecked. I put on my shoes and joined my husband at church. Best decision I have made in a while.
It was only through community that I regained my hope and built my faith. I have found that in the times I want to isolate that the enemy of my soul speaks louder. I need my church family – they give me the Word and show me the love of God. They build my faith.
Quotes on Community
- “Keep in mind that our community is not composed of those who are already saints, but of those who are trying to become saints. Therefore let us be extremely patient with each other’s faults and failures.’ – Mother Teresa
- “Christian community is the place where we keep the flame of hope alive among us and take it seriously so that it can grow and become stronger in us.” – Henri Nouwen
- “A Christian fellowship lives and exists by the intercession of its members for one another, or it collapses.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 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 10:24-25 - “It is a beautiful thing when folks in poverty are no longer just a missions project but become genuine friends and family with whom we laugh, cry, dream, and struggle. One of the verses I have grown to love is the one where Jesus is preparing to leave the disciples and says, “I no longer call you servants…. Instead, I have called you friends” (John 15:15). Servanthood is a fine place to begin, but gradually we move toward mutual love, genuine relationships. Someday, perhaps we can even say those words that Ruth said to Naomi after years of partnership: “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried” (Ruth 1:16-17).”― Shane Claiborne
- “Each of us must rededicate ourselves to serving the common good. We are a community. Our individual fates are linked; our futures intertwined; and if we act in that knowledge and in that spirit together, as the Bible says: “We can move mountains.” – Jimmy Carter
- “A Christian community should do as Jesus did: propose and not impose. Its attraction must lie in the radiance cast by the love of brothers.” – Jean Vanier
- “The first service one owes to others in a community involves listening to them. Just as our love for God begins with listening to God’s Word, the beginning of love for others is learning to listen to them. God’s love for us is shown by the fact that God not only gives God’s Word, but also lends us God’s ear. . . . We do God’s work for our brothers and sisters when we learn to listen to them.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” – Psalm 133:1
- “Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.” — Helen Keller
- “Community is much more than belonging to something; it’ about doing something together that makes belonging matter.” — Brian Solis
- “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” -1 Peter 4:8–11
- “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” — Henry Ford
- “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” — Coretta Scott King
- “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” — African Proverb
- “Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community.” — Anthony J. D’Angelo
- “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” – Acts 2:42-47
- “It takes a village to raise a child.” — African Proverb
- “There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.” — Margaret J. Wheatley
Why Christian Community Matters
- Spiritual Growth: People sharpen one another in faith like iron sharpens iron. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. In order for me to hear it I need someone else to speak the Word of God. Yes, I can read my Bible and pray by myself. That’s important. But I can build my faith in a community of like minded Christians. My brothers and sisters help me!
- Bearing Burdens: Believers support each other through hard times and share daily struggles. I need a body of believers to pray for and with me, especially during difficult times. They lift me up to God when I am stuck. Even Jesus intercedes for us!
- A Living Witness: Loving one another shows the world that the Christian message is true. There are so many lost, lonely souls out there looking for the love and belonging that a community of true believers have. If they don’t see us love on each other, how will they ever see the love that Jesus has for them?
- Defeating Isolation: Love cannot exist in total isolation; it requires real people to practice it. “Faith, hope, and love, the greatest of these is love” is a famous Bible verse from 1 Corinthians 13:13. Nobody likes feeling alone or isolated. We need each other. We love each other and we are created by God, for God, and for community.