“For Yours is the kingdom, the power, and glory forever.
Be the Love.
He is here.
I am here and, I am now.”
Hearing people's stories about their lives is the first step to build community. Community is not only in church events that are designed for human connection to happen. Community is built when stories are spontaneously exchanged - nothing forced, no expectations, no judgments. God is in all moments. God are in the moments that we least expect Him to be in; we just need to recognize that He is here.
I encourage you today to be present with the people around you whether they are your loved ones, acquaintances, or complete strangers. Every person on this planet is going through something. There are so many times that we see the cars we are drive next to as obstacles and nuisances, because they are in our way; they are the cause and the reason for traffic. The very cars we get upset at or cut off on the freeway have real people with real problems in them. Lets recognize God's Kingdom by being a vehicle and conduit of His love by treating those around us with the same compassion and attention we desire when we go through tough times. Hear people's stories with an open heart and warm and comfort them with your light.
Today, meditate on God's kingdom, power, and glory. Find ways to build community. It begins with the shift of seeing all people as people with real problems, struggles, and heartache. If an opportunity arises, draw near and bring the warmth, resources, a listening ear, genuine heart with you.
TAKE AWAY:
1) Bring heaven on earth by building community wherever you are.
2) Warm and comfort others by being open to opportunities of community anywhere and any time.
MEDITATION:
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NIV
DAILY CHALLENGE:
1) How can you build community wherever you go?
2) What attitudes may need to change in order to be a light that warms, comforts, and guides others?