Community - Bri Bellamy

If you were to tell me a year ago that I would be living with thirteen other people in a small East Texas town working at a camp, I would have thought you were joking. If you were to tell me a year ago that I would be open, honest, and vulnerable with those same thirteen people, I would have laughed in your face. If you were to tell me a year ago that those same thirteen people would become my people, my community, and my familyn such a short time frame, I would have looked at you like you were insane. 

Fast forward to now, and I can’t imagine these thirteen people not being my community! My depiction and definition of community before The Fellowship was so poor and incorrect if I’m being honest. I thought that all there was to community was just meeting up with people every so often to do a bible study together, and that was it. But, wow was I so wrong. 

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. -Acts 2:42-47

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. -Galatians 6:2

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. -1 Corinthians 1:10

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. -Hebrews 10:24-25

The Fellowship has taught me so much about what true biblical community is and how-to live-in community according to what scripture says about it. We are called to as a community of believers to follow the Word of God, break bread with another, pray together and for one another, serve one another, teach and correct one another, bear each other’s burdens, love one another, encourage one another, forgive one another, be unified, and point each other back to Christ. In The fellowship, we strive to live this out whether it is us praying together every Saturday morning before activities, asking each other what we’re reading in the Bible, or reminding each other of truth whenever we start believing lies. Doing life with thirteen individuals that I didn’t get to choose is not how I envisioned my community, but praise God for this community! Because of these thirteen people, I am reminded of the Gospel and God’s love for me, and I am pushed daily to look more like Christ. Also, I get to see Jesus in each of these thirteen people, which is so stinkin’ cool!!

Community is a gift. A gift that God intended for us to have to see His goodness, power, and love. I will cherish this gift forever because it allows me to see just how wonderful the news about Jesus really is! Praise the Lord!!!

- Bri Bellamy