Jamika Richardson | The Joys of Living in Community

The Joys of Living in Community

Living in a faith-based community has been one of my greatest joys, but can I be honest? It hasn’t always been this way. I remember walking through a season of loss. In one year I’d loss multiple people and was left feeling very empty. I had so many questions. 

Questions about my faith, and about this world we live in.  I was in a dark place of doubt and deep despair. I wanted so desperately to crawl into a hole and just disappear. 

Now what you should know is that I am a believer. I was baptized at the age of six, and yes, my “saved” self wanted to be depressed and quit! I mean I felt as if I’d “earned it.” I would go to church every Sunday, be in a room full of people and leave feeling more alone than ever. I was just going through the motions, barely surviving and definitely not living “ my best life”.

Until one day someone invited me to a small group. I was a total skeptic but, I didn’t want to be rude and decline the invitation. So I went, I hardheartedly entered that space reluctantly. I would describe the immediate feeling as warm and cozy. I was surrounded by women from all walks of life, all ages, together, under one roof getting along. Again I had been in church for a long time but had never experienced this level of togetherness! I was like, how do I get more of this? I started coming around more often and became connected with no strings attached. Connection takes courage and commitment. 

Although we were made for connection (Genesis 2:18),  sometimes things get in the way. Perhaps it’s mistrust formed from past experiences.  Maybe it’s a divorce, maybe you’re heartbroken. Maybe your past has a story of abuse and abandonment. Maybe the hinderance is self-esteem related- too heavy or too thin. Perhaps it's having a mindset of perfection- I need everything just right! Whatever your "thing is", if it's being used as an excuse to stay away or not venture int the deep of community life within your local church, know it's a hindrance to that keeps you from Christ-centered connections with God's people.

I’m not sure, but as you’re reading this post, I wonder what weights are you carrying? In other words, what is, hindering you from connecting with others.  Whatever it is, can I tell you, alone that weight will crush you! I think of living in a community like working out in a gym. Consider with me if you will, the weight lifting experience. 

During a session of lifting, generally, it is inadvisable to lift without a “spotter”. A “spotter”, does just that. He/she helps to see the blindspots, help to balance the load and often carry the weight from rest to active and from active to rest.  Well, that’s exactly what my community does for me, they help me lift some of life’s heaviest weight.

I believe the enemy fights to keep us from living in community with others because he knows that there is power in connection (Ecclesiastes 4:12). Living as part of a community has changed the way I see relationships. I no longer ascribe to the thought that women can’t get along. We have a saying in my community - where, by the way, I am now flourishing through shared experiences with other sisters in faith--- “we believe God created us to live in relationship with others and only then can we live the full life He intends for us”. 

Don’t do life alone! Find your community!