A journey in community

This afternoon I attended a session organized by Youth office. It was started with praise and worship, followed by story of "a clay" and a talk about growth and community.

Thanking God for the wonderful worship session and an insightful talk, I left the session with a joyful heart. I think I miss the Saturday prayer meeting. I could feel my heart was jumping with joy when singing the praise songs.

During the talk, I found an interesting similarity between us, the people of Emmaus and the Israelite when they journey toward the promised land.

Israelites, as written in Exodus, were gathered and led to go out from the slavery. They must be joyful at that moment of freedom, excited to journey ahead to the promised land as a community of God's people. Little that they know the challenges and trials that they will face in the journey. At one point, they started to see conflicts between people in the community or even blaming each other if they have done the right decision. The desert and hunger weaken their faith and the Israelites start to ask the existence and favor from God.

I think this might be the same thing that will happen to us. As we are called to be part of Emmaus community. We start afresh and excited to journey together. However as we become closer and longer together, there might be problems, miscommunication or maybe different opinion that can cause conflict between us. Yet, we have to learn from the lesson in Exodus, that God will always guide us, providing the manna of life to satisfy our hunger and leading us to the promise land.

In a community, one has to be true to itself. At the same time, we ought to understand that others are also unique and we, as part of the body, has to grow through the journey. To be a better and more loving personality as Jesus has shown us in his life and ministry.

It is also important to see God as the center of our community life. He is the center of the wheel that connect us, the spokes, together. As we are closer to God, our relationship with the rest in the community will grow closer, deeper and stronger too.

Last but not least, I would like to share interesting passage from 1 Thessalonians 5:

11 Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, as indeed you do.

12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who are laboring among you and who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you,

13 and to show esteem for them with special love on account of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

14 We urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, cheer the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient with all.

15 See that no one returns evil for evil; rather, always seek what is good (both) for each other and for all.

16 Rejoice always.

17 Pray without ceasing.

18 In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

19 3 Do not quench the Spirit.

20 Do not despise prophetic utterances.

21 Test everything; retain what is good.

22 Refrain from every kind of evil.

23 May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will also accomplish it.