So we discussed yesterday the cream cheese scenario. We discussed how important it is to use God's Word to get rid fo the cream cheese that is sometimes all over our faces. But today I want to talk to you about something equally as important. Having people around you who will care for you, love you and let you know when that cream cheese is there. I'm talking about real community. You've got to surround yourself with other believers who care about you, pray for you and give you godly advice on a regular basis. The best place to find that is at church. You need to belong to a church who demonstrates through its members these qualities.
You don't just need to belong, but you need to cultivate relationships within that church and make sure you're helping others find the cream cheese as well. You must be willing to do this lovingly however, no one wants to feel like they are on trial all the time. Everyone, does appreciate godly advice in timely situations however.
Proverbs 12:15 tells us, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice."
When I read this book for the first time about 4 or 5 years ago I wanted this community, it did not exist where I was at. I started cultivating it in those closest to me. I started it with Amber Lowe who was helping me with youth. We were riding in the car on the way to the PRomise Radion Station to get a packet to put together a scavenger hunt for free tix to night of joy. I told AMber about wanting that community in my life because it was missing in our current setting. I told her I wanted her to be real honest with me when I did something questionable or that she didn't think was a good idea. (I started with her because we all knew she could handle that job, hahaha! We love you AMber) So anyway I now have about 20 or so people many who still attend our old church who I can sit down with and get real honest answers about blemishes in my life and I am thankful for every one of them. The majority of those people however, are in our new church family at Freedom Baptist and they are cultivating this type of realness and honesty in their walk with others in the body and I love it!
So get your pride out of the way, let godly people advise you and you'll be on your way to building community. More importantly you'll be on your way to living a life that is pleasing in the eyes of God. By allowing His Word to convict you and other believers around you to help in the molding process we set ourselves up to really be used by God. In admitting your faults you are far more usable in the reaching of lost souls than if you act righteous in that of yourself. You must show weakness for non-believers to get it, to truly get it. No one wants to feel like they have to become perfect to get into a community, or for that matter to become a Christian. Being a Christian isn't about being perfect, or even about trying to appear perfect. It's about allowing God to mold us and make us into what He created us to be. It's about letting God use the people He put into our lives to remind us of our sinfulness and our need for His grace and mercy. It's about a relationship with Jesus Christ so pure, that we fell inadequate on a daily basis.
So find that "community" in your life and dive in, let them show you your blemishes and make sure you help them too, but remember do it with your heart and don't judge lest you be judged!
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