Walk in Your Callingናሙና

Day 4: Seek Community

God wired humans for community. It doesn’t matter whether you’re introverted or extroverted, a 2 or an 8 on the Enneagram, possess the restorative or intellection strength in StrengthsFinder—something within each person desires to be a part of a community. Throughout the Bible, we are taught and reminded of the idea that we need each other. Jesus showed us this when He built a community with His disciples. Each of them had an important role to play in Jesus’ ministry, because Jesus knew that to be effective, He would need all types of people from different backgrounds.

Community is a calling, not a suggestion. Immediately after God gave Adam His first command, God said it was not good for him to be alone. Isn’t that interesting? God knew from the very beginning that community was fundamental to humans.

It’s the same for you. There’s a reason God wired you for community. You can’t accomplish the tasks He has called you to do on your own.

Proverbs 13:20 (NLT) states: “Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.” You must be intentional about seeking out a community that will develop who you are, encourage you in all seasons of life, and strengthen you to address areas of strength and weakness. You need to be alert to those you allow in your life and to how they influence and shape you. Often, you imitate unconsciously, which is why you must take extra precautions to be intentional and purposeful about who you surround yourself with.

God specifically places people in your life that He knows will push you to where you are supposed to be. Every place that you get to in your life is contingent on the community around you. If self-recognition or acclaim is your goal, then you’ve missed the point. You should never get to a place where you look back and congratulate yourself for what you’ve accomplished. You should have the humility and wisdom to look back and recognize; I’ve been in places I shouldn’t have been. I’ve had incredible opportunities that I shouldn’t have had. And I couldn’t have done any of it without the community that encouraged me and didn’t give up on me.

So, just as Jesus built a community with His disciples, you are called to do the same—a community filled with people who understand the unique roles they are called to and designed for who will saturate the world with the love of Christ.

Prayer

Jesus, please allow me to walk with wise people who will push me to reflect more of who You are. Help me to recognize all the opportunities and accomplishments that have happened in my life. They have only come from You and the community around me, pushing me forward and lifting me up. Thank You for the community I have and all those who are yet to come. Amen.