We were created by an all-knowing, loving, and powerful God. And in His creating of us, He designed us with the desire for community. To be a part of a family-sometimes a family connected thru a bloodline and other times connected thru a God-line. 

Jesus, Himself, had a community. Think of the men and women who did life with Jesus (Matthew, Mary, Mark, Martha, Luke, Susanna, John,  Joanna…so many more!) They traveled with Him. Ate with Him. Served with Him. They loved one another. Learned from one another. Supported. Encouraged.

Jesus had created the ultimate, beautiful example of community. He did so by inviting them into His life, teaching them and showing them how to love one another.

A.J. Swoboda, in his book Subversive Sabbath (pg. 69) says this, “True community is not born of our efforts in creating a sense of community-it is the natural outcome from the act of loving other people.”

When I read this sentence, I immediately highlighted it. It spoke to me. I thought, in a world where we, as churches, neighborhoods, and schools, are attempting to “do” and “create” activities to create community, I wonder if we have lost the main ingredient. An ingredient Jesus loved and taught daily. The act of loving others.

• John 13:34-35 A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. 

• 1 John 4:7-8 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

• Matthew 22:36-40: A person asks Jesus, "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" Jesus replies, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself". 

I’m not saying fun programs and group gatherings are to be totally set aside. I love a good program as much as the next person. In fact, I am passionate about developing programs. But I am more compassionate about relationships. And that is where we must place our focus.

If we create programs to develop community, but we fail to implement the act of loving others, then we have failed. We will simply be a church, neighborhood, or school who happened to put on “that one cool event”.

But, when we do those events as an act of love for one another…watch out! When we sit down and have real life conversations with those around us. When we listen intently to the hurts of our neighbors. When we cry with each other. When we get into the mire, mud, and mundane with one another. When we choose to see the unseen. When we choose to hear the unspoken words. That, my friend, is when community is built. That’s when Church happens. That’s when communities will be changed. That’s when neighborhoods will be transformed. That’s when Jesus shows up in big ways.

Let’s go, Friends. How will you choose to love your neighbor today? May the way you choose to love them begin to build a Christ-like community in your Church and neighborhood.

Misty Cramer is an author, speaker, mentor, and pastor. As a teen mom, she found out what it was like to live in shame. But she also found out what it was like to be given the opportunity for a fresh start because of Jesus. She uses her personal experience and her experience as a professional mentor and speaker to help people take steps toward a fresh start and creating a new legacy for themselves and their families. And, she absolutely loves what she does!  

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