Comm-UNITY:

It’s been quite some time since the last blog posting (over four months!); honestly, I’ve not been in a place within my heart, mind, and emotions where I could offer anything up for thought… It’s been a really rough year. Life started to throw me lemons and I never learned exactly how to make lemonade.

I write this entry with new and thrilling excitement. I don’t believe that which has been the most difficult in my life has changed all that much, but I do believe the God that is present in all things has allowed me to see my life from an entirely different perspective: I’ve had a soft yet forceful paradigm shift. Things don’t look the same any longer and I straddle the line between crying out for more of this gifted perspective and fear that life and the incredible pain and discomfort of this world will steal it away from me once again- but I want to desperately cling to hope; I'm not letting go again!

A friend of mine handed me a quote recently that really hit home:

I sought my God, but my God I could not see.
I sought my soul, but my soul eluded me.
I sought my brother and I found all three.
- Unknown Author

As of late I’ve put much sweat and tears into the idea of community. I desire a real experience within an authentic community of people, and I wish to put all of myself into this with no knowledge of what how it will turn out, and with full understanding that I could be seriously hurt. I believe we see the full picture of God when we look at others, when we look outwardly in an ‘other’s focused’ mentality. I’m not suggesting we should disregard ourselves or turn off our personal and real needs. What I am purposing is 1) offering ourselves fully to others and 2) engaging fully with a group of people in unity for the purpose of love, life, personal growth, knowing one another, and knowing God.

Romans 12:9-21 seems it could be interpreted for relationships. The author mentions love being sincere, turning away from evil, devoting ourselves to brotherly love, honoring others above ourselves (however not ignoring our own needs), moving toward hope, joy and prayer, sharing with those in need, blessing those we don’t agree with, rejoicing, living at peace with everyone, and overcoming evil with good.

What a powerful and poignant picture of unity within community! What a honestly beautiful and intoxicating and colorful canvas. The fundamental truth is that we are all in desperate need of community; we all want to be invited in, included, accepted fully for who we are without judgment. We are relational beings created to be in relationship with others.

The caveat is that we are also all unique and different people. We all have different life experiences, families, hearts, emotions, and intelligence. Where some of us are funny, quick, serious, annoying, aggressive, fun, laid-back… others are not; others may have completely opposite character, behavior, worldview... We are an eclectic bunch. However, we are a bunch that has been made to be in unity with one another, and I want to be a part of this movement.

I’m not quite sure what that looks like entirely. But I know I want to move toward this with all that I have to offer. I am ready to give. I am eager to step out and put myself on the line knowing I may not receive that which I desire. I’m ready to risk, to hope, and to seek; I'm ready to follow. I'm ready to see the God present in all things do miracles in the lives of those around me.

Sincerely,
Eric