A Radically Different Love: Community

A few days ago, some others and I were washing dishes with an El Refugio Intern, Bethany, a person who has quickly become a part of our family. 

After we finished drying our dishes, we ended up looking through old pictures our squad together with pruned and soapy hands. I remember a remark that Bethany said after watching us giggle at all of our silly moments together. She said that she was almost jealous of the community we have and it seems we all really get along. 

A simple statement, but one that truly reminded me of the blessing that this community is.

Gap E. The thirty people that I have called my family for the last five months. The faces that I shared the hard things, the good things, the funny things and everything in between. The faces that bore the bad news and the good news. The faces I seemed so foreign to me five months ago and now I couldn’t imagine living my life without.

One of those faces being Bernadette Beacham, who described our big family with eloquence and accuracy, “Gap E is a family of worshippers, dreamers, go-getters; brothers & sisters that crave more. More intimacy with our Father, more opportunity together to lift one another up in prayer, the list goes on & on in how Gap E bands together. I love life with Gap E for so many reasons… but wow. I don’t think I’ll ever think of Gap E & not get those tummy butterflies”.

Along with all the bonding and lifting and even butterflies, living 24/7 with people isn’t always luxury. There are differences, arguments, frustrations and conflict but throughout that conflict, growth and community are the constants that make every moment worth it. 

Katie Lederer, a fellow teammate and friend, explained some of what community has taught her thus far, “He has simply showed me the importance of community. Life without it isn’t living in God’s design for life. He has given me the honor to hear the stories of those living beside me and given me the opportunity to just love those around me well”. 

Lederer spoke of something that seems so counter-cultural to the Americanized mindset, yet so essential to the identity of the gospel: God’s design for community. 

As Romans 12:5 beautifully instructs, “…so in Christ, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” 

Sometimes I feel as though, our heavy individualistic mindset subtracts from the raw vitality of communal connection. Under Christ, we are called to be one together, not just one church, not just one country, not just one people group that share your opinions but a BODY. 

One of the most beautiful things about living in community is our differences. 

The Lord teaches us a new aspect of his character through the community around us. He teaches us how to love well and how to be loved, because He uses the people around us with immaculate intentionality and I truly believe that. 

Lederer shares what she has learned about God through the community of Gap E, “The Lord has taught me so much through the people around me. I truly see the Lord through each and every person. I am in awe of the love they have for Him and just through that they have taught me a lot.” 

Community breeds vulnerability and vulnerability breeds freedom. 

Walking in Freedom with the Lord and others around me has radically changed my perception of love. Gap E has given me a tiny taste into what Heaven may look like and a glimpse into the Lord’s intention for His kingdom, and for that, I am forever grateful. 

As Sofia Obermaier stated perfectly, “It’s all just so real. it’s the highest highs and the lowest lows with all the same people that always love no matter what, and THATS what makes living in community worth it. Family.”