The Power of Womenনমুনা

The Power of Community

The author of Luke lands us right into the messy vibrancy of community at the start of his gospel with the account of the birth of John the Baptist. Zechariah receives the news about John’s birth from an angel while serving God at the temple, surrounded by a community of God’s worshipping people. Luke drops us right into the restlessness of that gathered community as it waits for Zechariah to reappear; we can almost hear the whisper of awe when Zechariah returns and is unable to speak.

Then, we are drawn into the quiet sisterhood of Elizabeth and Mary, two women who had received divine promises from a wonderfully good God and sought refuge and mutual support in one another. We are not told much about the three months they spent together, only that together, they declared blessing and praise.

In this passage, we see both the weight and power of community.

Elizabeth carried disgrace in her community because she was unable to have children. Zechariah was given a role to fulfill in his community because of the family he was born into, whether he liked it or not. Mary was pregnant and unmarried, a challenge for her community to embrace.

But community is integral to God’s plan for us. He invites us to rejoice in community, mourn in community, and submit to one another in community. The gospel is declared more boldly in community! As we draw on the resources of our Christian community - as we hear testimonies of God’s goodness and praise Him together - our joy shall overflow and reach those around us who do not yet know God so that they, too, can respond with joy!

So what can we learn from this passage to help us when the weight of community is too heavy to bear?

To find the power in it instead. Zechariah fulfilled his call and served his community faithfully. We, too, can serve faithfully on the days God shows up in supernatural ways and on the days when he doesn’t. Like Elizabeth and Mary, we find our sisters who will help us to praise God when we are aware of his blessing and favor and when we must trust beyond what we can see.

Community is a gift of God to be used for flourishing. Let’s praise God and embrace the power of community together.

Prayer & Reflection

1. How have you seen being in a community with others help you flourish? How have you contributed to a flourishing community?
2. Many of us have been hurt by our communities in different way, just like Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Mary. What does their example of faithfulness and continuing to embrace community show you about your own experiences?

Written by Sarah Macfarlane