A Close Community
December 16th, 2007I recently read an intriguing fact about honey bees. You can keep bees but you cannot keep a bee. A single honey bee will die within three days, even if you provide it with an ideal environment. There is something about community that keeps the bees alive.
The application is obvious. We need Christian community to have Christian life. We need the “bearing of one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2) in order to keep going. In fact, researches have found that people who have a good social network and a poor diet are as healthy as people who have a good diet and a poor social network. As John Ortberg has said, “It is better to eat Twinkies with friends than broccoli alone.”
The fellowship of believers is the heartbeat of the church. It comes in many forms. We see this precious fellowship in a small group caring for its members. We see it in a Bible class discussing a common passage. We see it when the same class works together on a Ministry task. We see it when the church cares for its members as needs arise.
Fellowship is a common meal and more. It is social and spiritual. It is life-giving. As the new year approaches make a resolution to be active in your church’s community. Find your “connecting place” and help build up others.
Keep The Light Burning!
Perry Greene
