Individuals Make Community

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Romans 12:4, 5 NIV)

Christian community is a wonderful thing.  But communities are made up by individuals and we can't have a truly effective community unless each of us is also working on our individual relationship with God.  God does not call communities, he calls individuals to work within communities.  We must individually pray, confess, accept forgiveness, take up our crosses, study, sacrifice and worship.

Think of our Lutheran church service.  We may do a "corporate" confession as a community, but we are each to confess our own sins, not the sins of those around us (how much easier - and fun! - that would be!).  We may do "corporate" prayers, but it is the desires and needs of each of our own hearts that we are communicating.  We may all be worshiping together, but it is each of our own love for God that we are expressing.

Christian community is made up of Christian individuals.  We must each be working on that individual relationship and find our true roles within the community of which we claim to be a part. We can only have a vital, active community if we have vital, active individuals.

Father,

Help each of us as we continue to seek your guidance in our individual lives so that we can be a vital, active member of the wonderful body that is Christian community.  Amen.

Joys:  Kevin's first day on his new job going well; an evening out with the whole family; nice chat with Richard this morning.