Today I had the opportunity to serve in the four-year old classroom for Crossroads Bible Church. I have never attended this church, but today I was honored to be a part of a community coming together. Volunteers from a variety of churches staffed the children’s ministry today so this congregation could spend the morning together honoring and remembering their youth pastor and his infant son. It was an amazing experience to walk into a community of people I have never been with and to experience the unity of being in the presence of the community of believers.
I wonder why it often takes a tragedy for us to gather as a community of believers and fully lean on one another. I find myself reflecting on that tonight and wondering if there are places in my day-to-day that I can live more fully in community. I believe that God has given us the gift of community. A community that will grieve together when one member is grieving and celebrate together when one member celebrates. I will be praying this week for the community of Crossroads Bible Church. I will also be praying that each of us will choose to experience the community of believers that surrounds each of us. Let us consider living honestly about our joys AND our struggles….and marvel at the gift God gives us in one another!
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/04/crossroads_bible_church_mourns.html
