T+144 Communities

BOX SCORE	9/27/24
Element	Current	Std. Range	Trend
Hemoglobin	12.6	13-17	^
Platelets	175	140-375	^
ANC	2630	1800-8300	v

Have you ever considered how communities are built? I'm not talking about houses in a subdivision but about groups of people. Sure, some communities are the result of housing availability: a new subdivision goes up and people (the contractors hope) start buying houses and moving in. They become a community because they have in common that they live near to one another. Eventually, friendships form as neighbors meet their new neighbors. 

Of course, the same thing is true in what are referred to as "homeless" communities. In our state, there is a housing crisis, and that is one reason "homeless" communities have appeared. They are usually in the form of tent "cities," which can sometimes be quite extensive. There are other factors that precipitate this kind of living, but the residents of these tent "cities" have at least one thing in common: they have no permanent homes in which to live. I thank God that I have never had to live in that manner. I'm too soft, I think. Jill, on the other hand, once had to find shelter for herself and two daughters, when the roof of their home was so damaged that they could no longer live there. Fortunately, that episode only lasted a few months. She has spoken to me many times of how faithful the Lord and friends and neighbors were to them when they were essentially homeless.

Whether people in tent "cities" form bonds of friendship I can't say with certainty, but human nature being what it is, I presume such communities are much like others where people are thrust together by circumstances, housing availability, and any number of other common forces. After all, misery loves company as much as does prosperity. 

Jill and I have become part of a community in another sense. Since our battle with AML began nearly three and a half years ago, we have been blessed to connect with others who are part of the same community. My long-time friend and dental school classmate Brian and his wife Rita are among them. They can use your prayers, as their medical team has run out of treatment options and can only provide palliative care for Brian. 

Yesterday, we met another couple who are on a journey similar to ours. Suzy, who has been battling AML, and her husband Doug are the parents of one of the elders in our church. Suzy is about to decide whether to pursue bone marrow transplant (I suspect she will) and Doug has been dealing with some of the emotions that Jill has. Their son Geoff arranged for us to meet by phone with the aim of providing support for each other. We had a lovely conversation that filled up our hearts, and I think it was helpful for Suzy and Doug, too. 

Human communities are an institution of God. We were made for relationships; first with God Himself, and then with our neighbors. Jesus told a young lawyer that the greatest commandment is to love God with all of our hearts, souls, minds and strength. In addition He said that the second commandment is like the first: we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. (Matthew 22:34-40) I have always been fascinated by this passage from the perspective that Jesus says the second commandment is "like the first." Does this mean that it is like it in that it is a commandment to love, or does it mean it is like it in that it is just as important as the first? In my heart of hearts, I think it is a bit of both. The commandment to love is universal. We are even commanded to love our enemies and pray for those who spitefully use us. (Matthew 5:43-48) And who can love someone fully, if he does not also love her children? (Did you ever get between a mama bear and her cubs?) How can we love God fully, if we don't love His children? 

Communities. They happen. But if, like me, you believe that nothing happens but God has a reason for allowing it, then there must be a reason for communities. Jill has told me that her time of homelessness taught her to rely on God and the kindness of His people (community). I have certainly learned through the years, and especially the leukemia years, to trust God, for He is the only One Who never fails me. But I have also learned that one of the most powerful tools He uses to sustain His kids is communities. There is the community of His kingdom, which is represented by the Church universal, the whole of Christendom. There is the community of each local congregation of believers. Ours has been faithfully praying for us. There is the community of family, the community of those who live nearby, the community of workmates or schoolmates. Let's face it, except for hermits, we are all part of at least one community and probably several. 

It's possible that among the communities that are part of your life there are people whom you find disagreeable. Have you ever asked yourself why you find them so? Is it they or you who need a little self assessment? And while I am about it, may I suggest, since you probably can't avoid being part of communities, that you embrace each one you are part of with the two commandments from Matthew 22 in mind? Remind yourself that God loves you (John 3:16) just as much as He loves all of those other folks who bear His image (Genesis 1:26). Get to know the ones who are willing, and the ones whom you find repellent, well, pray for them. There may be something in the way a community they have belonged to treated them in the past that made them wary. 

The love of God is also universal. "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him." (John 3:17) I suppose that next to the kingdom of God, the biggest community we will ever be part of is the world, and like it or not, we will either need to embrace it or spend our lives fighting it...and there's enough of that going on already! 

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. (Psalm 122:6)