We need community

It's close to midnight, and I'm still writing tomorrow's post. This is not because of a lack of planning or I having nothing to say, or even not having the time to write. No. That's not the reason why. If I'm being completely honest with you, I knew what I had to write about today but fear got the better of me. There are still thoughts that come to attack my mind such as "who do you think you are to say this" or "nobody needs to hear this so don't even bother." Yeah, I get this a lot and I have to admit, it keeps me from sharing the message that's laid on my heart. The only reason why I am even writing this right now and I share the Gospel on these platforms is because of my community. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have started this Newsletter when I did. I wouldn't have shared my heart with any of you in this space. But, with their encouragement, I write to you today. With all of that being said. Let's get into today's message. Have you guessed it? Okay, if not here it is. Community.

Scripture: Exodus 17:8-13 "While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.” So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle." In the above passage of scripture, we see how the Israelites went to battle with the Amalekites. Moses had told Joshua to lead the Israelite army to battle of which he did. On top of the hill, Moses stood holding up the staff, and as long as he did this the Israelites had the advantage in the war. However, when he dropped his arms the Amalekites had the advantage. Moses' arms grew weary and tired after a while, and He began to drop them. Upon seeing this, Aaron and Hur who were with Moses sat him down on a stone and held up his arms on either side. This way they helped him not drop his arms. What they did ultimately led Israel to victory in the battle. Had it not been for Aaron and Hur, Moses would not have been able to hold up the staff for the entire duration of the battle. His two companions made this possible. Now my question to you is, do you have people who will hold up your hands when you get weary? Community is very important. Now I know you might have gotten hurt at church or by people who claim to be Christians. But nobody is perfect, in fact, those who seem to have it all together are that way because of the grace that comes from Jesus Christ alone. We cannot be good by our own doing. God alone is good and those who have Him living inside of them are good because He is. It was never God's design for His church to hurt themselves and the rest of the body. His design for community and fellowship with other believers is to be able to carry each other's hurts, share meals together, encourage one another and correct each other in love and building each other's faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Community is where you can be fully known, loved and where you can get belonging. A lot more can be said about God's design for community, but I'll leave that up to you to search in the scriptures for yourself. You cannot do life alone. You need people who will encourage you to do what God told you to do. We are not consumers in the Kingdom of God, we are all contributors. We are all needed. Therefore in community, we sharpen one another (Proverbs 27:17). We build each other up. Without community, I would honestly not be the person I am. I get to be vulnerable and share the deepest parts and hurts of my heart in a community of believers who love the Lord and me and want nothing more than to see me become the woman God created me to be. Community has been perverted. If you've been hurt before, don't stop desiring to be surrounded by a community of believers who will help you grow. Pray and ask God to lead you to the community He wants you to become a part of. You'll get to experience Him in a new way when you fellowship with other believers. I could go on but I don't want to make this to be long. So I'll stop here for now. Journal prompts 1. Do I have a community? 2. Is it important to be part of a community? 3. Is there a Bible-based and Spirit-filled place I can join for community? (If there is, do pray about joining it) This is the most important thing you can do as a believer and someone who wants to know God more. Love, Blantinah ♡