Life is busy. For everybody. We spend so much time away from our homes that we never meet our neighbors. We pull into our garages and close the door behind us. That’s too bad because life is better when it’s lived in community.
A lovely example of that went viral on social media. It featured 87-year-old Doug Turner, a widower, who rang his neighbor Michelle’s doorbell one winter morning. She had only lived in the neighborhood for a few months, but she recognized Mr. Turner from his daily walks up and down the street. When she opened the door, he greeted her with a smile and invited her to a neighborhood party he was hosting. Michelle smiled when she saw the invitation. It was hand-drawn, decorated with a snowflake made from paper, and read, “A Celebration of Winter. Four PM until the cops show up.”
Once upon a time, neighbors talked across fences and porch railings. Now, we’re too busy with work and kids and everything else that makes life go to get to know the people next door. But the need for community is wired into our souls. Something transcendent, even spiritual, happens when we connect over work, sporting events, backyard barbecues, or especially our love for Jesus. Our lives intersect in a deeply mysterious way.
Community sustains us when we’re weak and gives us a chance to bless others. Community brings neighborhoods – and the people in them – to life.