{"id":159,"date":"2016-03-05T22:31:24","date_gmt":"2016-03-06T06:31:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.smallchelle.com\/?p=159"},"modified":"2016-03-05T22:31:24","modified_gmt":"2016-03-06T06:31:24","slug":"safety-in-numbers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smallchelle.com\/?p=159","title":{"rendered":"Safety In Numbers"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s been foggy the last few mornings. Light fog is beautiful, it softens the harsh edges of the world, it catches the sunlight in a shimmery haze. Thick fog is downright terrifying. It hides what we need to see. It lies to us about the dangers in our path. It blinds us to reality. It settles into the valley and blocks out the sun. Beyond the white haze we know the sun is there, but we can\u2019t see it anymore. It\u2019s a different kind of darkness, one where we can fool ourselves into thinking we can see. That\u2019s the most dangerous kind of blindness.<\/span><\/p>\n

Really the fog forces us to slow down, take our time. We may only be able to see a step or two ahead. Rushing around in the fog is a recipe for disaster. <\/span><\/p>\n

The fog I\u2019m talking about here is the \u201cunknown\u201d, the \u201cwhat-ifs\u201d and the things that keep us up worrying at night.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.\u201d Colossians 3:16<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I see the \u201cmountain top\u201d above the fog, but I also see that valley, full of foaming white froth, and I know I have to go through it to get up there. Weather it\u2019s the maturing of my faith, the next goal in my fitness journey, the years away graduation of my kids, or just the next project at work. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBear one another\u2019s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.\u201d Galatians 6:2<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In the case of fog the phrase \u201csafety in numbers\u201d has a fierce ring of truth. We can follow the successful steps of those that have gone before us while walking with our peer group and leading the next generation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFinally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.\u201d 2 Corinthians<\/span>\u00a013:11<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This is what community is all about, especially what I\u2019ve come to know as \u201cGospel Community.\u201d Over the years I\u2019ve been a part of many churches, but never one so rooted in the Gospel as where I am now.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God\u2019s varied grace\u2026\u201d 1 Peter 4:10<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What this looks like practically is a group of Christian believers intentionally knitting their lives together. More than just a couple hours on a Sunday, we make it our aim to be friends and encourage each other throughout the week.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTherefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>James 5:16<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

We need to get vulnerable, ask for help and prayer. Say, \u201cI\u2019m in the fog!\u201d And that Gospel community says \u201cJesus is in the fog with you, and so are we.\u201d We help each other see Jesus through the fog. We help each other hear Jesus through the fog. We help each other follow Jesus in the fog.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTherefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.\u201d Romans 14:13<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Are you in the fog? Are you in a Gospel Community? We gotta stop stumbling around and hiding our skinned knees. Ask for help. Make a friend. Help someone else. You need community, and your community needs you.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHaving purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart\u2026\u201d 1 Peter 1:22<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Feel free to comment below. I would love to hear how Gospel Community has made a difference in your life.
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