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Connect with Community
by Jessica Gilligan
Connecting with my community…what does that mean? For me, it means simply doing something to make a difference for the people around me. I know I have a real desire to help people. When I watch the news and see the oppression all over the world today I feel moved to do something to help. Even in Thomas County there are people who are suffering. People in our own backyard who have basic human needs. There are also people who have their physical needs taken care of but who have an emptiness in their hearts. I see these neighbors and know that I am called to serve them--to meet their needs and show them Christ’s love.
The desire is there, no doubt…but what am I DOING about it? Not just thinking or feeling, but actually DOING? It is natural for me to feel moved with compassion and a desire to help but the tricky part, for me at least, is in the next step--turning my feelings and thoughts into action. I have to admit that I struggle with this. I find myself making excuses of busy-ness, lack of resources & creative ideas. Oftentimes I convince myself that just wanting to help is enough. I have to make a conscious effort to make time in my life to really think about and pray for ways to connect with my community. And then I have to pray for obedience to DO the things God reveals to me.
To me, connecting with my community has two parts: Connecting through organized activities like the Connect Challenge events or our personal ministry projects and connecting in my day-to-day routine. Whether at work, at school or in line at the grocery store, there are always opportunities to serve those around us. We just have to have our eyes open and our hearts sensitive to those opportunities. I think for most of us that means asking God to give us that sensitivity and an ability to see people the way that He sees them. In other words, the willingness to see people. It is so easy to "mind our own business" but God calls us to something more--to love the people around us.
That’s what Jesus did. It is evident throughout the New Testament that Jesus loved people. Even more, it is clear that He not only loved people, he liked people! He liked being with people, eating with them, talking to them, listening to them, and helping them no matter who they were.
I truly believe that if we, individually and corporately, pray for a heart like Christ--a heart that genuinely likes people and loves people, connecting with our community will be a natural outpouring of our hearts. And if we have the love of Christ in us, and we are willing to share it, we can transform our community in a very big way. We must be willing to let God use us at all times and in all places for all people!
