The kids are exploring and playing and resting in the big girl pasture – together. They are never more than a few feet from each other. An adult goat will wander a little farther away from the group – but never out of sight. Our goats are herd animals. They can’t be alone. They thrive in the company of other goats.
We are like the goats, created for community and meant to thrive with the support of others. We were created in God’s image and God himself IS community. Genesis 1:26, “And God said, ‘Let US make man in OUR image…’.”(emphasis mine). The trinity is recorded from the beginning of time. As we are His likeness, our hearts yearn for relationship.
The triune nature of God suggests that relationships are essential to our ability to experience completeness or wholeness. But (BIG, BIG BUT here!!!), the quality of our relationships is enormously important. Too many of us are filling our desire for community with simple attention and superficial interactions with people we call “friends” but hardly know. Skimming the surface with dozens or even hundreds of other people will never fill the desire that burns deeply in our spirit for authentic community.
Jesus preached to thousands, he healed hundreds, he traveled with dozens, he invested personally in 12, his inner circle was 3 and his BFF was one. (John 21:7)
Be brave. Give your heart to just a few. And grow together in love and grace. Challenge and encourage each other to stay on God’s path and experience His purpose for you.
Find completeness with the indwelling Spirit of God and the valued intimate relationships that will
continually point you back to Him. There you will find joy.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” Col. 3:16
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17.
