Community

Today we’re leaning into something that every one of us needs, whether we admit it or not: community.

Life was never meant to be lived solo. We’re wired for connection—through the highs, the lows, the ordinary Tuesdays, and the unexpected storms. Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 (NLT) reminds us: “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help.”

Community isn’t always easy. It takes vulnerability, forgiveness, and a little bit of showing up even when we’d rather stay home. But it’s in those relationships that we see God’s love lived out in real, tangible ways. Today, we’ll talk about how to nurture the kind of connections that lift us up, hold us accountable, and remind us we’re not alone.

I’ve talked about the importance of community many times, and we know that it is fun to have people around us.

The Bible is full of communities working together. The Church was built on community and grew through community.

Paul writes and brings many together through his ministry.

Jesus brought many together, and they followed Him because He knew how important it was to have a community.

We all need others to walk with us, and it can be many or it can be few—the point is that we just aren’t meant to be alone.

Do you find it hard to open up to others? That’s ok… I think we have certain things that happen in life that we just aren’t able to share with others. But I think a misconception that we carry with us is that if we share our struggles and problems with others, they will look at us differently, they won’t understand, or maybe they even have their own issues going on.

I’m there with you in all these thought processes. I don’t like to share too often, even though I know it’s ok to share and have others help and pray for me.

I’m all for asking for prayer—but for help… that’s different.

Regardless of what thoughts you have, think of it this way: God tells us to help carry each other’s burdens, but the enemy tries to separate us.

We should all learn to stand on the Word of God even in this and know that it is ok to turn to a community of believers for help.

Living in an area where storms are prevalent, some years more than others, we’ve seen community come together. But after some time, the community help stops, and life goes on. That doesn’t mean no one is still willing to help—it just means that we may not know how or where to help.

This would be a good time to step outside your circle and just ask anyone and everyone if help is still needed and see what we can do.

Community is always important, and we all need help sometimes.

God made us to desire connection. It makes life easier to walk through when we have others who can help carry our burdens and pray for us.

There is just something comforting about knowing that we have others around us ready to pray with us but also laugh and cry with us.

Community keeps us accountable, helps us to grow, and encourages us.

Community and comfort.

Do you have someone you can call up and just be completely open and honest with, knowing that they will not judge you, but they will listen and help you?

If you have at least one person like that, you are blessed. It is important to know who stands with you, who is just as honest with you, and who you can call on anytime.

We know that we can go to God in this way, but remember—even Jesus had an inner circle of friends, and we need that as well.

In this, we are comfortable with our community.

Our community happens in different ways. We have our work community, our family community, our church community, and our friend community.

Over the years, people come in and out of our lives, and no matter what community they fall under, the important thing is that they know who we are, what we believe, and that we are Christ followers.

When we are the same no matter who we are surrounded by, we make good character decisions, and others will know if we are true and trustworthy.

So, make sure that you are you and nothing else.

Take a moment and think about your circle. Who’s standing beside you—and who might need you to stand beside them?

Ecclesiastes says we’re stronger together, and that’s not just a nice thought—it’s God’s design.

Maybe there’s a neighbor to check on, a friend you’ve been meaning to call, or a church group you’ve been hesitant to join. Stepping toward community might feel risky, but the reward is a life woven with support, joy, and shared faith.

As you head into the rest of your day, remember this: we’re better when we build each other up. Community is where God’s love gets hands and feet. Don’t walk alone—link arms, lift someone up, and let others lift you too.