In the creation story as recorded in the book of Genesis, God said “Let us make man” (Genesis 1:26). The question is; Who does God refer to as “Us”? He was obviously referring to “God the Son and God the Holy Spirit”. It shows that the Creator of the universe recognises the very essence of community and being part of a team. God has all the power to single-handedly create the whole world without the help of anyone, but He chose to involve other members of the trinity in the decision-making of the world’s creation.
Seymour B. Sarason, an authority in community psychology, in his book published in 1974, The Psychological Sense of Community, is of the opinion that being in a community gives us the “major bases for self-definition”. That means we are defined not being alone, but by the community that we belong. We have all been created as social beings and due to this generic identity of humans, there is only a little that can be done alone.
Allow Yourself into a Community
King David was a man of valour with an extremely strong army (a support community) that go to war with Him. He brought down Goliath on his own with his stone and a sling (though by the power of God). Even before then, he did kill a lion and a bear while he was watching over his father’s sheep. Sequel to his being anointed by Samuel, he then stepped into a pair of bigger shoes, and this required him working and growing within a community. That was the point that four hundred men came to him and they swore an oath of allegiance to him, promising that they will stand by him and walk with him.
Our journey with Jesus requires that we belong to a community of believers, and not only that; we must be willing and flexible, allowing the community to have an impact in our lives, provided they are a positive and biblically proven impact.
The position and status of David as the king did not stop him from following the advice given to him by the members of his community to avoid going to war with them while they wanted to invade the camp of his son, Absalom, in order to take back his original throne as king; (2 Samuel 18:1-4). The invasion eventually became a huge success and David’s life was spared simply because he yielded to the advice and contribution of his team members. Regardless of our status, as humans, we have been created to live and be part of a community. That has a significant amount of positive impact on our cognitive performance, mental well-being, growth, fulfillment etc. Though some negatives can also be identified with being part of a team, it’s all part of the natural process of human life which can be managed.
Get Out!
In addition, there is a limit to the height anyone will attain without being part of a community. Though the pandemic has created a huge vacuum in the original architecture of how we should relate as humans. Now, some believers have been hugely affected by this, as they feel very unsafe associating with others. Hence, they would rather be alone and create a wall around themselves. The writer of Hebrew specifically mentioned that believers must be in a community of fellowship; “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day” (Hebrews 10:25).
As much as God wants us to fellowship with Him alone in the Spirit, He also wants us to be integrated into a community of believers. By so doing, there are blessings attached to doing this; support, knowledge, a sense of belonging, influence, sharing, and networking are all embedded in being part of a community that has a common goal, a set of values, and beliefs. Get out and be an active member of your community today. Don’t be an island!
