Lately I’ve been thinking about the gift of community. When you’re struggling, community is a gift because it gives you a place to belong, a place you can be vulnerable, a place you can share your real life without fear of judgement. 

As a newcomer, we may approach a group of people thinking, “What’s in it for me?” And that’s understandable- at first. But as you get to know the people around you, that question should shift to “What do I get to bring to the table?” because that’s what maturity looks like. There are seasons we need the support and encouragement of others, and there are seasons where God opens our eyes to the fact that most people around us are fighting some sort of battle.

The same applies to prayer. When we first begin to pray, we pray over our own needs, our own challenges. We focus on asking God for provision, for healing, for help. We pray over our children and their well being. Something shifts as we mature though. Our compassion begins to extend even further, as we pray for friends and neighbors, acquaintances and eventually strangers we’ve never met.

The real gift of community is that it inclines us to consider others more than ourselves and I think that’s a good thing. Others would argue that “You need to love yourself before you can love others!” and “How can you give unless you are filled up yourself?!?” but I find that reasoning to be unsound. 

One) Selfishness (self interest) comes naturally to us all. No one has ever trained a toddler how to be selfish because as soon as they can toddle around and clutch a toy, “Mine!” seems to land among their first words! We’re surrounded by a culture that prioritizes self care, self concern, self love, but no one has increased their happiness or well being by caring only for themselves.

Two) it’s unbiblical. We think we have to be fully supplied before pouring out but Gideon was hiding in fear when God told him to “Go in the strength you have and save Israel.” A little boy once gave up his noon meal of some barley loaves and two fish, and his generosity was multiplied until it nourished a crowd. A poor widow gave her last meal to Elijah during a famine, and God honored her gift with a miracle- oil enough to barter for food and provision until the famine was over. We have been taught to put ourselves first because that is the logical, rational thing to do. But God created us for community and connection. These stories (among others) remind us that when we care for others, God takes care to meet our needs.

Isn’t that beautiful?