When some people hear the word “community”, their minds jump back to hippie culture, and they think of free love and living off the land. Well, that or the new sitcom on NBC. That’s not exactly what I’m looking for, although there is a certain amount of beauty found in the harmony that the idea assumes. Since college, I’ve been on a search to find and live in an intentional community. I say intentional because it’s not one that you are forced to be in, or just find yourself stuck in. I say intentional because it implies that I choose to be involved as opposed to choosing to be distant or an individual. Because, let’s face it, everything in life is a choice, even if it seems that it’s not.
If you read through the book of Acts, you’ll get an idea of the kind of community that I’m talking about. Was it a blissful time of agreement for all members? No. Look at Paul and Mark in Acts 15:36-41. Did being part of the community make life easy? Not really. Look at the persecution in Acts 5:17-42. Did amazing things happen nonetheless? Yes. Look at Paul & Silas in prison in Acts 16:16-34.
With all that said, I think the video below is a more recent symbol of what I hope to be a part of. A thief steals a woman’s purse, and the whole community rushes in to protect her, and make sure the offenders don’t escape. I can’t say that I condone vigilante justice, but they certainly display a higher concern for the community as a whole than they do for their own individual safety. The most comforting part of the philosophy of “community first” is that no one has to go it alone. We all have each other, and together we are stronger than any one person is alone. We all have each other’s back.
If you’re wondering if you’re part of something like this, don’t make the mistake of comparing what your friends have done for you recently. Check your heart first, and start seeking to contribute to the benefit of the community.
wow..it got intense really fast….it looked like a kung fu movie…
what you are talking about here really reminds me of a class i took. Peace studies. the class started out by talking about breathing..weird i know…it first talked about learning how to make yourself a peaceful person..then, eventually we talked about bigger things like community and the peace you can spread by even the simplest of things..But I think the things i learned that fascinated me most was learning about gandhi. His devotion and sacrifice he made to his community was relentless. He had been in and out of prison and risked his life(ultimatly being assassinated) for the freedom of his people and their community.
I think its interesting when you mention not having to “go at it alone”, because i often think, then why does it do seem so many are “alone”. Is it this rat race every man for himself mentality. Maybe. But I think if more people were aware of how important and how life changing being a part of something can be, it would make an unmeasurable difference. Simply acknowledging someone with a smile or a “good morning” could change things in such a big way.something so simple can turn into something so much bigger…
On another note…I really like your blogs…i dont know if what i wrote had anything to do with what you just said..but you still made that little light go on in my head. haha thanks casey
mmm… this gave me the warm and fuzzies… ;)
Happy to find your blog bro!
right after i commented on this blog…i got a fortune in my fortune cookie that said “find happiness within yourself, then share yourself with others” …i thought i’d share :) haha so rad
@Casha, Being alone sucks. Even God said so in Genesis 2:18. I think you’ve hit the nail on the head with the rat race, every man for himself mentality. We’re a very individual society as Americans, and communal living is very foreign to us. We look for ways to comfort our loneliness with materialistic possessions, fleeting pleasures, and staying busy. All the while, we miss out on something that money can’t buy, and no company can make: community. Having people around us that truly care and will never let us be alone gives us exactly what Nate said: the warm and fuzzies.
@Nate, It’s so true! Why do we feel the warm and fuzzies when we talk about not being alone and think about people having our back? For me, it’s because I’ve experienced it in real life. The warm and fuzzies recall the memories of my friends being there for me through break-ups, down-turns in my cashflow, giving and giving without any expectation of paying them back. Of course, it also reminds me of how God always has my back, and that’s pretty humbling to think about.
I enjoyed reading this Casey. Brett and I were really impressed by the Kibbutz living in Israel. It was a perfect example of living in community. You joke about the hippie days, but I think I would seriously love to live in some sort of “commune” ( just no Kool-aid). There’s something to be said about sharing life with others, especially ones you care about. It’s too bad it’s so challenging around here…I get lazy and end up choosing to be alone rather than reaching out.
risk of rejection..as we age, or I age, i look back, see times, or seasons of various growth, it hurts to grow, there is a difference between alone and lonely. We are all pieces of one body. We all have different gifts, character, abilities, etc, but we share the same spirirt.Seeking unity and safe people. Some love groups, they get energized, others get drained, only need one or two deep relationships.It does take effort to be part of something. But being part of something that shares your idesls, where people are real, and have your back, loving you even though you are different than they are. Being a symbol for Christ not just going to church. Cant’s wait for Sunday! :)