The setting sun is shining through the stained glass windows. People are walking through open doors, Bibles in hand, greeting one another with hugs, handshakes, and high fives, there is laughing, smiling, and embracing. Then the sun sets and the lights grow dim, three men walk on stage with guitars and start strumming cords. People settle into the old pews and a pastor walks on stage for a warm welcome. As the music starts to pick up, the mood sets in and people become engaged. As voices fill the air, hands are lifted and walls are broken. There is a sense of simplicity and peace in this place, I find myself forgetting about those around me and having a conversation of praise and thanksgiving with my Father. As the music starts to wind down, the pastor comes on stage once again and encourages people to break into groups of two, three, or four. Some are groups of friends, some are groups of strangers, but there is no awkwardness or self-consciousness in the room. First Thessalonians 4 is read and the soft whispers of prayer are started to be heard around the room. Chapter four is prayed through word for word, people are pouring their hearts out to God, asking for sanctification, for brotherly love, for the grace to accept the sacrifice on the cross, for empowerment to be lights in this dark world. As prayers are voiced, we move to the table, to the place of remembrance of the sacrifice that was shed for us. We are reminded of First Corinthians 11 and examine ourselves at the foot of the cross. And then one by one, people start moving towards the table, taking a piece of bread and dipping it into a cup of wine. "do this is remembrance of me." With humble hearts and open minds, voices start to be heard again around the room. Beauty. Joy. Humility. As the evening comes to a close, chatter once again fills the room. But the mood is different, there is a peace that fills the air, people are leaving encouraged and hopeful, the Holy Spirit comes to those who call, to those who gather in His name.
This, my friends is community. People gathering for the common purpose of praising our God, becoming vulnerable, letting walls fall. This is why I think community is so important, because we can't live this life alone, we need people, we need fellowship, we need accountability, we need God.
the past few days...
My roommates in Austin are advocates for community to occur around the table...dinner parties are a weekly occurrence.
I took a quick visit to San Antonio last weekend to visit my dear friend Kerra before she heads off to Nepal for a few months. Kerra is currently working for Mountain Child, a non-profit humanitarian aid organization in Nepal. Check out this awesome ministry and the lives it is changing in the Himalayas.
http://mountainchild.org/
Dear sweet Natalie came to visit for a quick weekend, it was so awesome to have a friend and familiar face to explore Austin.
Common sitings around the city, word art. I love it.
