have you ever..

Have you ever had an urgent need to tell someone something? Or have wanted to run an idea by a person? Or have you ever just needed to know that someone was around? I have. There are 7 people in our house and always someone nearby if you just need to talk. This is great for me as I am very much a people person. I get re-energized by being around others. The beauty of this community is the grace that comes alongside it. Even if I completely make an idiot of myself or act like a dork, I am still loved and accepted as is. My close community here will be ending soon as I get ready to head back to the US in 3 weeks. A new community will be created with the friends and family I left behind. But creating a community of friends and people you can trust doesn’t come easily. It requires everyone being honest, respectful and even vulnerable. I am not even sure I am any of those things. However, I am convinced that this is how we were created. We were meant to “do life” with one another. The early church modeled close friendships and community. They ate together, worshipped together, asked questions and doubted God with one another. They were open, real and authentic. I am reading a book about having an environment where people can be real and open about life. They can ask questions, explore faith, learn about life and be themselves with no worries about what others will think about them or how they will be perceived. Have you ever wanted to just be loved for who you are, not who you used to be or could be? Have you desired to kick and scream and just be allowed to do that? Have you ever wished someone was near enough to share a really dry joke with and then laugh at it? I wish the church was this. I wish the Body of Christ was known for this everywhere. Not just in some towns or some countries but all over the world. Have you ever wished things were different? Have you ever had to desire to change it? Have you ever taken the initiative to do so?