Build the 5 Relationships You Really NeedSample

We all need community—a sense of belonging to a group who knows and welcomes you. Jesus grew up in an extended, connected community that shared his hometown, history, language, and culture. Humans need support from family, home, work, church, etc. The benefit to your soul is a reminder that you are always connected whether you see it or not. Community is the network you develop just living your life; the doors you could knock on anytime you needed to.

When Jesus stepped into his calling, he began to make a clear distinction between his kingdom coworkers (comrades) and his Jewish extended community. He even shockingly stated that his own mother and brothers were not as important as those who did the will of his heavenly Father with him. This would have shocked people! But Jesus didn’t give his familial and cultural community the same honor as his comrades. He made it clear they were a different kind of connection.

Community is a mixed network that arises from just living your life. Like Jesus’ life, they are not strategically connected to a specific purpose in your life (even if they’re loving and kind!). They could be past and present, family and non-family, inside or outside of your faith. They’re the invisible web of people from your external circumstances. If I run into someone in my community, I usually leave saying, “Let’s get together!” I always mean it, but the truth is they take up more room in my heart than on my calendar.

The way to build and love community in your life is not to pull them all closer or make them best friends. It’s to do good to them when you have the opportunity. Say yes to being a blessing when you see it! Jesus often healed, delivered, or encouraged someone in his Jewish community not because they believed in him, but just because he could. Jesus moved through his community relationships committed to possibility, but he never appeared to feel obligation to make everyone a closer companion. He would have welcomed community to become comrades, but he didn’t force it nor insist upon agreement to stay in their life.

Are you carrying a burden to pull community closer? If so, drop it and ask God to simply help you do good to those around you as have the chance!