By: Maggie Morrison
Welcome to 2021 – the year of isolation and loneliness. We park in garages and close the door behind us before we even have time to notice our neighbors. We sit in our fenced in backyards thinking fresh air is our deepest desire. The quest for fulfillment is in full swing as people search laptops and bars for their purpose. Is it any coincidence one of the most popular TV sitcoms is called Community?
As I read the Gospels, I can’t help but notice the crowds. Not only did people tend to follow Jesus, but people tended to be together. In our current world, this is the missing link. We are so consumed with ourselves that we see Jesus at work and immediately think, “What can He do for me?” We miss the big picture. It’s not about us! It has always been about Jesus and His glory, and we accomplish that most effectively through community.
“Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.”
Luke 18:43 NIV
“Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said we have seen remarkable things today!”
Luke 5:26 NIV
We see this theme over and over again. Jesus performed a miracle for an individual, and the praise of God flowed through the entire crowd. The people who were able to witness Jesus work gave glory to God. The reason this is so beautiful is because bringing praise to God is in itself the very thing we were created to do! Isaiah 43:7 (NIV) says, “Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory.” By observing a miracle of God in another person we are able to praise Jesus, thus aligning ourselves with our purpose of bringing God glory and experiencing the true fulfillment originally intended for us.
We were designed to live in community. When we choose to walk through life with others, it grows our faith through what we witness, we are given more reasons to praise God, and ultimately God receives more glory than He would if we chose to do life alone. Community is about dominos. When God works in your life and your domino tips, you should be living so in step with other believers that their dominos fall and the praise of Jesus rings loud and clear. Let our praise fall like dominos from person to person! Step outside your garage and notice those around you – they may have a domino that is waiting for a push.
