It’s better to have a partner than go it alone. Share the work, share the wealth. And if there’s no one to help, tough! Two in a bed warm each other. Alone, you shiver all night. By yourself you’re unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 MSG

We are designed to do life together. We are interdependent souls with an innate sense or yearning for belonging, love, and connection. This is community in its purity, having people to do life with, fellowship with, work alongside with. As I write this blog, I’m filled with an abundance of gratitude for the people who have poured into my life. I’ve had friends who’ve showed up at my door when I literally felt as if it didn’t matter if I stayed on this earth or went. I’ve had mentors who’ve deposited seeds of wisdom into my spirit so much so, I didn’t have a choice but to bare fruit. I’ve meant strangers in the elevator and in a hospital bed who spoke a word, not knowing they were on assignment; delivering a message I’m certain God sent. My goodness. Gratitude.

I’ve also been the friend praying for a move of God as if I personally was the soul that needed a shift. I’ve been the friend showing up at the door helping to pull a friend out of depths depression. Lastly, I’ve been the mentor encouraging a friend to believe in their power and to stand firm on the promise even as I battled my own inner wars. I feel an abundance of gratitude for this as well. 

Its not so much as “if” we will need to lean into community but “when”. Living in an individualistic society normalizes the idea that we don’t “need” others or that we are in competition with others which perpetuates solitude and isolation. There’s value in self-sufficiency, autonomy, and independence. And, there’s also value in communal reliance, shared work, and basking in the fruits of your labor, together. 

I could go on and on about the importance of community. But for time sake, a few key benefits of having a solid community are:

• Companionship– There’s nothing like having people to laugh and experience life with. Connection is rooted in who we are. 
•  Help/Support– Doing all the work can be hard! Having someone to share the load can improve your quality of life. Not to mention if feels amazing to bask in the fruits of your labor together. It’s inevitable, in this life we will have challenges. Having people to support you in times of trouble can help alleviate the intensity. 
• Protection– Having people who can see our “blind spots” may prevent us from unnecessary trauma. 

Each season may look different in how we show up or engage in our community and that’s ok. My prayer is that you have a network of love in which you can lean into. 

Peace to you,

Kris