Building Community: Love in Action

In a world that often pushes us towards isolation and self-sufficiency, there's a powerful counter-cultural message that calls us to something greater. It's a message of community, love, and purpose that transcends our individual desires for comfort and convenience.

The foundation of this message is rooted in the anticipation of something extraordinary - the restoration of all things. This isn't a doomsday scenario, but rather a hopeful vision of a world made right. It's the fulfillment of our deepest longings for justice, peace, and wholeness. As we look forward to this ultimate reality, we're called to live differently in the here and now.

At the heart of this different way of living is a simple yet profound command: love one another. But this isn't a passive, distant kind of love. It's an active, earnest love that requires proximity and intentionality. Just as you can't engage in Brazilian jiu-jitsu from a distance, you can't truly love people well from afar. This love demands that we draw close, even when it's uncomfortable or inconvenient.

The apostle Peter, writing to early Christians, emphasizes this point. He reminds them that "love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8). This love isn't just a nice idea or a warm feeling - it's a powerful force that has the capacity to heal, restore, and unite. It's a love that perseveres through difficulties and disagreements, anchoring us to the truth in the midst of suffering.

But how do we cultivate this kind of love in practical terms? Peter offers several key insights:

1. Show hospitality without grumbling
2. Use your gifts to serve others
3. Speak as though you're speaking the very words of God
4. Serve with the strength God provides

These actions aren't meant to be burdensome obligations, but rather natural expressions of the love and grace we've received. They're ways we can actively participate in building the kind of community that reflects the coming kingdom of God.

However, this vision of community doesn't come without challenges. It requires humility - a willingness to set aside our own egos and agendas for the sake of others. It calls us to cast our anxieties on God, trusting in His care rather than trying to control everything ourselves. And it demands that we stay alert and sober-minded, recognizing the spiritual realities at play in our world.

The truth is, building genuine community is messy and often inconvenient. It means opening ourselves up to people who think, act, and even vote differently than we do. It means being willing to carry others when they're struggling, and allowing ourselves to be carried when we're weak. This kind of community isn't about finding people who are exactly like us, but about embracing the beautiful diversity of God's creation.

There's a powerful metaphor that captures this idea: the church as a living, breathing body that inhales and exhales. We gather together to be filled and nourished (inhale), and then we go out into the world to serve and share (exhale). Both movements are essential for a healthy community of faith.

This vision of community stands in stark contrast to the isolated, self-sufficient life portrayed in the short story "The Answer is No" by Frederick Backman. The protagonist, Lucas, thinks he's content with his solitary existence of video games, wine, and pad thai. But when forced to engage with his neighbors over a trivial matter, his carefully constructed world of isolation begins to crumble.

The story serves as a poignant reminder of how easy it is to disconnect from the larger narrative of our lives and the world around us. When we turn inward and prioritize our own comfort above all else, we miss out on the richness and depth that come from genuine human connection.

Building community isn't just about our own personal growth or fulfillment. It's about participating in something much larger than ourselves. It's about rehearsing and living into the coming reality of God's kingdom in a broken world. This gives weight and significance to our everyday interactions and relationships.

The call to community is not a call to perfection. It's a recognition that we all have our flaws and struggles. But in coming together, in loving each other earnestly, we create a space where grace can flourish. We become living examples of the transformative power of God's love.

As we navigate the complexities of building authentic community, we're reminded of the ultimate example of love - Jesus Christ. His sacrificial love for us becomes the model and motivation for how we love others. When we celebrate communion together, we're not just performing a ritual. We're reminding ourselves of the gravity and beauty of what we're called to do - to love as we have been loved.

In a world that often feels fragmented and divided, the call to build loving, Christ-centered community is more important than ever. It's not always easy. It will likely push us out of our comfort zones. But it's in these spaces of vulnerability and authentic connection that we often experience the most profound growth and transformation.

So let's embrace the challenge. Let's be willing to be "joyfully inconvenienced" for the sake of others. Let's create spaces where love truly does cover a multitude of sins. As we do, we may just find that we're not only building community, but we're also participating in the unfolding story of God's redemption and restoration of all things.