What Holds Your Community Together?

Years ago, I watched as land developers bought land and planned an extension to the city. For more than a hundred years, the ground yielded corn and other foods. Cows, horses, and other animals shared that space, and now, the old Ontario farmhouse was coming down. One day a sign went up: "A NEW COMMUNITY! Your home will be your greatest asset!" I drove past the sign and wondered, "How can these land developers think they are capable of creating a 'community'?"

Is a community simply defined as a bunch of houses grouped in one location? Well, yes, we do speak of a community center where ice hockey, swimming, youth events, and other activities take place. One meaning of the word does refer to people who live in a specific area. We also talk of soldiers, students, or car manufacturers, like this, "A community of university students." It's because they share a particular aspect of identity. 1) Note that the word "unity" is found in the term "comm-unity." 2) Note, as well, that usually what is found in common is only temporary. People often move to another city. The highschool student goes on to college, and then she finds a job. Young mothers learn its harder to keep their friends once the demands of infants cut in on their sleep at night.

But when we talk of Christians as a community, we are referring to something much more profound. We share fundamental values that are rooted in eternity. Fundamentally, we belong to the Lord. (Romans 14:8) 

What God has done for us changes everything! "When the kindness and love of God, our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things so that those who have trusted in God. may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone." Titus 3:4-8

WOW! That's a whole different basis for a community. Our entire existence is wrapped up in the purposes of God. Thank you, Lord, for giving us this kind of a community.