Sunday, February 21, 2010

Read Mark 1: 29-39

Community

One of the things I noticed as I was reading and meditating on this scripture was how often in the gospels we are told that Jesus takes time to visit and be in community with others. Very shortly after calling Simon and Andrew he goes to stay at their house. I’ve been thinking a lot about community lately and how important it is. My cousin was recently diagnosed with cancer. As she goes through the fire, she has been using an online community called Caring Bridge that lets her connect with friends and family. I have found it to be a remarkable use of technology, giving her the comfort of knowing people from around the country and the world are praying for her, offering advice from their own experiences, and allowing her the space to tell her story as it happens. She has also mentioned how her faith community at her church in North Carolina has buoyed her up throughout, giving both spiritual and physical support.

I have been missing my own faith community lately. We have missed two Sundays and many between the Sundays meetings and ministries over the past couple of weeks as we deal with the phenomenal snow that God has sent our way. I don’t know what people do when they don’t have such a wonderful community to guide and support them as they go through life. I suppose many find a substitute of one kind of community or another but I can’t imagine a better group of people to associate with than my church family. I thank God for each and every one of the people that make up the community of faith.

Thank you, God, for the people of the community of faith that guide and support me. I pray that many more will be added to our community as they feel your love through us.

Martha Shrader