 belonging
Last week about thirty-five of us from the Norwich Vineyard went down to the River Green to be part of the turning on of the Christmas Lights event. There was a Farmers’ market, several funfair-type stalls, Father Christmas, real reindeer and carol singing around the tree. Children from the local school helped turn on the lights, along with the local MP. The pubs were open along with the café and other amenities and then there was us. We gave out chocolates, balloons, hot chocolate, and Christmas wrapping paper - all for free, just to bless the community to which we belong.
Community is not the same as it once was. There was a time when no one moved very far away from where they had been brought up and the family ties were strong. Without wanting to view history with rose-tinted spectacles, it would be true to say that there were family squabbles and
disharmony but generally people looked out for one another. Children played freely in the streets. I would go off at 9 o’clock on Saturday to play, coming home for dinner before repeating it all again in the afternoon. But during all of my upbringing I don’t think I really encountered community until I became part of the church. I discovered loyal friends, good food and if truth be known – the prettiest girls! All this was centred around a person, Jesus Christ, towards whom we were all moving in worship and who led us out to care for others.
Today the church is a vibrant and loving community of people. In John 13 v34-35 Jesus said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Another community that we have responsibility for is our neighbourhood. Who else will share the love of God with them? They are on our doorstep. Let us find ways of getting to know them. Then there is our work community. For many of us we will see and know this group better than our geographical neighbours. Then there is the community where the church is located, the people we were trying to serve the other night. And then there is the wider community, the town or city to which our smaller community looks. Perhaps there are creative ways in which we can make an impact there as well.
As we look outward let us love as Jesus taught us and let us make room in our churches for those seeking Him.
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