This is the second in a series of five principles about engaging in church as authentic community that comes from Wayne Jacobsen's book, Finding Church: What If There Really Is Something More?
Embrace the Desire to Engage in the Community He's Building.
As you learn to embrace his affection, you’ll soon find your heart turning toward others. Don’t worry you’ll become a lone ranger. God is a community, and from knowing him you will hunger for his community as well. You’ll find yourself connecting with others quite naturally, not based on a mutual need for something called “church,” but as the fruit of your passion for him and his unfolding kingdom . That’s when you’ll discover that his church is already surrounding you.
You don’t have to look any further than the people you already know— family, friends, co-workers, neighbors , and even strangers you might engage with briefly on a bus or at the market. Each day, love whomever God puts before you and see where it leads. Help those who have a need, befriend someone who’s lonely , and be gracious to all. Sometimes a simple greeting starts a conversation.
The more authentically you learn to live, the less need you’ll have to control these conversations. You’ll find yourself genuinely caring for the people around you and freer to do what love draws you to do. Out of the vast array of those conversations, you’ll find yourself more drawn to some than others. You’ll want to find time to engage them, either over coffee or for a meal. Follow your heart here and make room in your life for them. You don’t have to create special times for this. You can do the things together that are already part of your life—eating, running errands, household projects, sports or other recreational activities . Some of these relationships will continue to grow; others may just be for a brief season.
Blessings...
Jacobsen, Wayne (2014-10-13). Finding Church: What If There Really Is Something More (Kindle Locations 2650-2652). TrailView Media. Kindle Edition.
Teacher, speaker, entrepreneur and follower of Christ; with a passion to be a catalyst for authentic community.