One is the loneliest number

Photo by Steven Hung on Unsplash

It’s not good that the human is alone...But a helper for the human was nowhere to be found. 
Genesis 2:18,20

And with a breath, with a word, community was ordained. And it was very good. 
Community because…

            It takes more than one to listen.

            It takes more than one to share a joy, a sorrow, a concern.

            It takes more than one to be a companion.

            It takes more than one to hold hands, to hug.

            It takes more than one to be known by name.

            It takes more than one to belong.

            It takes more than one to love and be loved. 

Last night I sat in community in South Dallas. It was clear this was not my neighborhood, but we came together to envision building our city into a community. To acknowledge where we’ve gone astray from beloved community; to recognize what stands in our way; to realize the common ground of our desire, and to actively cultivate the soil of community as the stewards we are commissioned to be.

It is tempting to romanticize such an effort on the one hand. Or totally dismiss it on the other. But the temptation is resolved in the realization that we have no magic wand to make this happen. Neither are we without hope. We all want to live safely. We all want to belong. We all want opportunity. We all. 

It is a choice to fulfill what we are commissioned to be. To bring together the uniqueness of you and me to work for a common goal. Work (effort, intention) to…

            Coordinate

            Compromise

            Do the extra when another is unable or unwilling

            Teach one another

            Be willing to learn

            Work, to love our neighbor as our self.

Community is where we belong, where we thrive. Beloved community is something we choose to work toward…or neglect.

In this together…