A number of months ago Steve Fry, pastor of The Gate and president of Messenger Fellowship spoke at our young adult gathering. He spoke on the Trinity and really shifted some of my paradigms about how the Trinity functions. Specifically I was intrigued by a new thought: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit live in community and fellowship with one another, each equally important, and in interdependence with one another and in mutual submission to one other. (I am paraphrasing an hour-long message into a short sentence, so suffice to say that there was a lot more depth and detail, which I won't get into now.) He spoke about how this model of community really shapes how we see each and interact with one another.
This community existed before time, and we are drawn into this relationship because we are invited to be a part of this same relationship. Not that the Lord needs us in the same way He needs the other members of the Trinity, but we are adopted and grafted into His family and He does chose to use us to accomplish all He wants accomplished. I find this concept intriguing.
I think most people are longing for community. We are designed in the image of God, we are bearers of His likeness in spirit. If He longs for relationship, it makes sense that we would be too. One of the very definitions of the word community is: "A group of interdependent organisms of different species growing or living together in a specified habitat." I love that this definition is applicable to so many different scenarios. It can apply to a group of people simply living in the same town, it can apply to a group of people growing in knowledge of something (like a class in college) or growing in a common interest (like a group of people who all play softball) and it can apply to a group of people who happen to work together.
This is also why people don't respond to superiority. You want me to come to your Bible study? Wonderful! I love coming to Bible studies where there is an atmosphere of interdependence and sharing. How do I know when this is in place? When anyone, regardless of marital status, ministry status, or age could be up in front sharing. Or, even better, when the person sharing is sharing out of their own brokenness and realness...this is when real transformational power occurs.
This community existed before time, and we are drawn into this relationship because we are invited to be a part of this same relationship. Not that the Lord needs us in the same way He needs the other members of the Trinity, but we are adopted and grafted into His family and He does chose to use us to accomplish all He wants accomplished. I find this concept intriguing.
I think most people are longing for community. We are designed in the image of God, we are bearers of His likeness in spirit. If He longs for relationship, it makes sense that we would be too. One of the very definitions of the word community is: "A group of interdependent organisms of different species growing or living together in a specified habitat." I love that this definition is applicable to so many different scenarios. It can apply to a group of people simply living in the same town, it can apply to a group of people growing in knowledge of something (like a class in college) or growing in a common interest (like a group of people who all play softball) and it can apply to a group of people who happen to work together.
I have found that there can be a lot of power in community. I believe that there is a direct correlation to the amount of investment each individual is willing to give and how interdependent each person really is, to the amount of power within that community. If there are members of a community that feel superior to the others, the power breaks down. If there are members who are holding back and not fully investing in community, the power breaks down too.
This is why people respond so positively to people who are willing to invest in other's lives in every way. You want to speak into my life on an issue?? Great! But the authority to do so will be increased if you also celebrate with me or cry with me or just be silly with me too. We are so much more than our sanctification needs. This is why kindness leads to repentance....not frustration, or a desire to fix, or to make people a project.
This is also why people don't respond to superiority. You want me to come to your Bible study? Wonderful! I love coming to Bible studies where there is an atmosphere of interdependence and sharing. How do I know when this is in place? When anyone, regardless of marital status, ministry status, or age could be up in front sharing. Or, even better, when the person sharing is sharing out of their own brokenness and realness...this is when real transformational power occurs. No community outside of the trinity is perfect, but I am praying for full investment and true interdependence in the communities I am already a part of, including myself.
Blessings,
Erin
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