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This means we are free to lay aside the masks we wear to A community is only as strong as what it is based upon.
keep ourselves from being fully known. The Christian The Christian community is meant to be of the highest
community is a place where we are all keenly aware of the caliber because of Who it is based upon. A group of people
fact that we are all screw-ups, so we don't need to hide securely loved and satisfied in God has the freedom to
our failures from each other and pretend like we are love each other regardless of surrounding circumstances
perfect. We are free to commit and invest in a select and fickle feelings.
group of people that we will share our lives with. God
wants His followers to do things for each other that The world will tell you that practicing social distancing will
require that we invest time and effort into relationships. save your life. The people of God, His Church, invite you to
This is done in all the day-to-day mess of real life, not just step in close and experience real, life-giving relationships.
the quick, shallow, perfect-looking stuff we can easily post Don’t wait until this pandemic is all over to find a
online. We don’t have to live in fear that coming into close community. If you’re honest with yourself, you probably
contact with these people will leave us plagued by more need it now more than ever. If you already belong to a
loneliness. These people aren't perfect, so they will church, see what they have going on for their members at
disappoint from time to time, but being committed to this time and seek to connect with people in any (safe)
each other means that when you disappoint them they way you can. If you don’t have a church yet, look into
won't give up on you either. some around your community, or around your university’s
community since you’ll be going back there eventually.
Maybe you’ve got a friend who has been pestering you
about coming to church with them. Now you know they’ve
been pestering you because the church is where the
craving for real, lasting relationships can be satisfied. Ask
them how they are connecting with their church family at
this time.

*Note: This is not a call to ignore current health and safety
measures being enforced by the government for the fight
against the recent pandemic. This is a call to seek God and
invest in His people.

14 WORD ON THE STREET MAGAZINE