Matt Matthews said, "There is something so much more comforting knowing that someone is there to share a story with me and help me. And maybe I can help them." He and his young son Beckett (who is much older now) share more in this short video.
Not long ago, we were a society that centered around family. Multiple generations often lived together under one roof and when families did live separately, they never moved very far away. Maybe just a few houses or a couple of miles down the road.
These days, we find ourselves more separated than ever before—both in distance and even in mentality. We seem to be more individualistic. We often rely only on ourselves. We live far away from where we were raised. We find connections with other people in the workplace. Or on social media. But we struggle with those relationships being shallow and short-lived.
Holy Community
Yet individualism and doing life on our own is not part of God's design. After all, God is a community in himself. Existing for all of eternity, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit have enjoyed the love and fellowship of their perfect triune community.
In creating mankind, God desired for us to participate in that community and know the perfect and joyous love the Father, Son, and Spirit share.
Called Into Community
But God didn't stop there. He didn't create man to be in community with him alone. After he created the world and Adam, God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him" (Genesis 2:18). God created us to be in community together, to create families and live together, bearing the image of and reflecting the three-in-one God.
Scripture is all about community. God chose the Israelites to be his people. They lived and worshipped him together in community.
"And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people." — Leviticus 26:12
Following the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, God then instituted the church, the Body of Christ as a community of believers. We are called as individuals to collectively share in the lives of one another. We are created by God, for God, and for each other.
"Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it." — 1 Corinthians 12:27
Deeper Connection
"We have been conditioned to believe that safer is better," Matt Matthews said. "But so often I have found that my faith grows when I take a chance by stepping outside of myself."
For Matt, connection can be found in many simple, yet significant things. Like teaching his young son Beckett to swim. This jump into the unknown can so often lead to interacting with God himself. Because he is always with us. Enjoy this short video that Matt made several years ago to learn more about this timeless truth.
Though society might tell us that we can do life on our own, God invites us into a much holier relationship—deep connection with Him and with others. We are made for and called into community. That is His desire for us. And that is His promise to us.
bloggers. wanted.
Telling our stories is one of the most powerful ways we can illustrate how God is real and active in our lives. Sharing them can lead to real and meaningful connections with one another. At theHeart, we want to be known for the stories we share with one another. By doing so, we can grow closer as a church family. And we can inspire each other to confidently live a life that is uniquely focused on demonstrating Christ's Love.
Do you love telling stories through written word, video, photography, or artwork? Consider joining a network of contributors to theHeart Blog. Contact josh.anderson@theheart.us if you'd like to learn more about blogging for theHeart.
Comentários