Creating Community

Creating Community

You have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.

Galatians 5:13

At a church I used to attend, my small group of girlfriends became the informal baby-shower committee. Every woman got one baby shower at our church—regardless of whether it was her first baby or her tenth. If it was her first baby while attending at our church, we showered her.

We had shower hosting down to a science. We rotated hosting duties, and I have fond memories of showers when my small house was packed to overflowing with women, gifts, and pastel-colored decor. The host would clean and decorate, and the rest of our friends would bring the food. We spread the burden evenly among ourselves, and our showers became fun social events in our church.

An experienced mom would share a short devotional, and we always ended the shower by praying over the soon-to-be mom, her child, and her family. These two pieces became sacred, precious parts of our showers.

A majority of the women in the congregation made it a point to attend the showers. We had women from every generation participating, and I especially loved watching women bring their elementary-aged daughters to witness the example of Christian motherhood, Christian womanhood, and Christian community you would find at our gatherings. As Christians, we are called to support, lift up, and shower hospitality on other Christians. We are specifically called to use our freedom to serve one another in love.

Today’s Scripture is specifically calling Christians to serve other Christians. I’ve seen Christians get it wrong both ways. Some focus so much on meeting needs inside the church that they never look beyond the church walls to their neighbors, their coworkers, and others. Other Christians focus so much on meeting needs outside the church that they forget the importance of building Christian community. We are called to balance in serving the Christian community while also seeing those who do not yet know Christ and showing them his love in tangible ways.

—Julie

— Today’s Act of Kindness —

How are you building up your Christian friends? Meet with another Christian for coffee or a meal, and encourage them in their faith.