I Thessalonians 3:8 “It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord.”
Throughout this letter there seems to be a connected theme that acknowledges the difficulties of being followers of Jesus and the necessity of community in the midst of this discipleship. Again, I am reminded that followers of Jesus follow in His footsteps which mean that suffering is intimately tied to the life of a Christian. As Paul writes he acknowledges this suffering but in the same breath points to the hope that comes from traveling with other followers of Jesus. It is this communal journey that actually brings new life to Paul’s life that constantly involves suffering for Jesus. In fact, when Paul hears that the thessalonians are “standing firm in the Lord” it brings new life to him. Hearing of their faithfulness Paul is renewed in his despair and empowered to move forward as if he has new life.
I am reminded of this connection between, suffering, journey, and community this morning. The three are intimately connected to discipleship and all three play an important role in us being able to continue the witness of the gospel in the world. There is so much talk of “community” today in the church but it seems that most attempts are superficial at best. The reality is that in my culture there are very few environments that force a “Christian” to live into this vision expressed in this verse. This forced attempt at community leaves us looking at texts like I Thessalonians wondering why we don’t feel the way of Paul and the others. I don’t think we can ignore the aspect of suffering in producing a practice of community that is described in I Thessalonians. Its as if this suffering is a means of grace that actually binds the community together in a way that could only be done if suffering is present. In a sense, without suffering there isn’t authentic community. Perhaps the greatest tool in creating community is participating in a common cause of suffering that forces followers of Jesus to depend on each other that new life could actually come from hearing of others standing firm in the Lord. Today, we avoid suffering at all costs and seek to create faith communities that are centered around protection as the source of community instead of suffering. What would it look like for a Church to look for suffering as the tool to create authentic community? Could it be that most of our churches lack authentic community because very few Christians (let alone churches) ever experience suffering for Christ within modern day America? Could it be that until a church takes on the mantle of Jesus down the road of suffering that authentic community will not exists? What has to happen in my life today for this verse to become more then an idea but a reality that I know of first hand? What does it mean for me to pray for suffering that true community might be experienced?
I have to admit Lord, that a superficial community made up of programs, outings, affinities, and values look way more appetizing then community around suffering. However, I also have to admit that I am not experiencing the truth of this verse. I cannot faithfully say that I have new life based upon other brother and sisters standing firm in the Lord. Lord, I desire for Crossroads to practice authentic community….to be an authentic community. For that, I pray for suffering; I pray for communal suffering; I boldly pray that we will suffer for you and in our suffering your grace would create authentic community among us that we might find new life as others stand firm in the Lord. Give us this grace today Lord, Amen!
Authentic Community is a reality that is intimately tied to suffering.
Click here for Crossroads Church!
