The theme of the past couple of days with the 6 of us has been community. Or, should I say the lack there of. I'll just be bluntly honest and say we've all enjoyed one another's company for the past 5.5 weeks, but having spent 24/7 around the same 6 people has gotten to all of us and tonight it boiled over.
Our day started as most others. Breakfast, team time/devo, field time and then we came back to the church. From the church, the 6 of us went to a dinner that the Santa Monica Summer Project Mission Team of 67 Campus Crusade students holds every Monday night. The team and I have met several of their teammates over the past few weeks and we met some more on Sunday. We were invited to go to a dinner with them tonight and to join them for their worship service. So, we did.
I'll be honest again here and say most of us had preconceived notions of what tonight was going to be like. We, our team, and the Cru team have different ministries here in LA and different ways to go about ministering to the people here, so most of the 6 of us had ideas that were quickly proven wrong. When we arrived it was the awkward "Who are the 6 new kids" stare from 134 eyes. It was a little intimidating, but most of the people quickly introduced themselves and it got a little more bearable to be in a room full of people where it was obvious we were the outsiders.
So we split up and ate with the Crusade team members and then joined them for their worship service. Afterwards, we mingled with some of the Cru team members and made some great personal relationships and connections.
This all has a point I promise. Actually, it has two. So, let's just jump into those. It's 1:52AM here in LA and I'm tired.
So:
1 - We realized that the community that these 67 students had was incredible. Living with 67 of the same people for 24/7 seems quite overwhelming. But somehow their group (at least at first glance) seems to be dealing with that in an amazing way. We watched them all get along with one another and know one another, and it was a blessing to see them grow closer to the Lord, the people out here in LA, and to one another all in community. One of the most frequent questions that all 6 of us got was "What's it like living around the same 6 people all day every day?" And while I doubt the Cru people knew what they were REALLY asking, thoughts started racing through most of our team's minds and helped us to realize that when it comes to community in our group of 6, the past couple of weeks has been pretty shiesty. So, when the team got back and had team time, we addressed the concerns, troubles, annoyances and frustrations that each of us were feeling with our community. After almost 3 hours, it seems like we've hashed it out and things are on a much better foot. I know all 6 of us feel like we've made some pretty progressive plans to get better about our community with one another. In fact, Storm said something that touched me more than I expected. She said "Thank you guys and girl for being a part of my first experience with siblings. It's been fun." And then it hit me. We are here as brothers and sisters in Christ and lately we hadn't been acting as a family. After tonight, no longer are we 6 friends, cohorts or anything else...we're brothers and sisters for one another here on the field, in our personal walks with the Lord and in our group times!
2 - The second thing that I personally got excited out of the time with Crusade group is another reminder of the centrality of Christ. What I mean is this: Christ is the single most important common denominator between any two groups or persons of the Christian faith. The group of 67 Crusade students and the 6 of us are here for the same reason: sharing Christ's love. It was a blessing to be reminded that while they may have different ministry views, we're still here with the same passion and heart for the same person: Christ. Being in fellowship, worship and community with them tonight helped our team realize that God is definitely working in big ways, and in ways that we hadn't even seen coming. So tonight, I feel as though I've not only gained 5 brothers and sisters from my team, but also 67 Crusade Team members who have blessed us and encouraged us to live urgently, seizing every opportunity to share the gospel of Christ and to passionately pursue Christ at all times!
So in almost-closing, I want to share this scripture:
Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may share in his glory." Romans 8:14-17
One of biggest blessings of salvation in Christ is an invitation to the membership of the Holy family. We're no longer individuals, but are now a part of God's family. We're together with our fellow brothers and sisters in faith, and with the big-man himself, Christ. However, this membership must, again I say must, come with a cost...ourselves. We're not invited to share in God's glory easily. We're called to intentionally join in his sufferings the same way he intentionally came to earth and lived a life that lead to the cross in order to achieve the glory of God. So, as fellow members of God's family and brothers and sisters in Christ, I leave myself with this thought for myself, my team and you readers...
What are we intentionally doing to put ourselves in harm's way and live a life that leads to the cross?
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