I was asked to speak on community recently at a large gathering of women (400 or so).
So, I asked the people there, what is community?
Some said scouts, church, netball, patchwork, footy, gym, golf, tennis, music, book club, school and theatre group and so on.
Some say have we moved into fewer face-to-face communities, instead we have Facebook communities, Tik Tok, Instagram socials.
People become very opinionated about us and our lives and like to make comparisons.
Which makes me think some communities are kinder and healthier than others and it’s good to remember that I suppose.
The Bible teaches close friends can shape a person’s character, habits and moral direction. Proverbs 13:20 says “whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companions of fools will suffer harm”.
And in 1 Corinthians 5:6 “Just a small amount of yeast affects an entire batch of dough, representing how unaddressed sin or bad influence spreads quickly through a community”.
Which can often occur on Facebook or other socials.
The good side of community I experienced was when my husband was dying of cancer, without my church community and the community of Kyabram and surrounds, I would not have survived.
I was young, with two little boys and pregnant with our daughter, and my husband was in the Royal Melbourne Hospital ICU and unconscious for a long time and not expected to live.
I was running out of money, and someone paid my hotel bill.
When I needed food, someone would arrive with it.
When I got home, someone helped me with washing and cleaning.
And when I needed prayer, counselling or love, someone was there.
My community of Kyabram and surrounds thank you. I will never forget that.
Not only for helping me, but for your 150 years of love.
PS: And never forget, most things on socials are exaggerated, so don’t worry about them.
Elizabeth Spicer OAM JP Chaplain
29°C