Reflections on a Community
Sometimes when I see hurt and don't know what to say or pray, I write. My wife and I lived in Bloomsburg, PA for about four years. For some, this may sound like a short time, but when you fully invest yourself into a community it's a long time.
Our primary community was our life group from Bloomsburg Christian Church. The church as a whole was community, but that small group especially was. When we started going, there were several couples, but it grew as large as 14-16.
When we left Bloomsburg to move closer to home in the Harrisburg, PA area, there were maybe 10 of us regularly attending. Saying goodbye hurt deeply. What hurts even more is to see what has happened to this small group since we left.
After we left, one of the young women who attended walked away from her faith. She had been a Christian all her life, but then just decided it wasn't true.
Shortly after, one of the couples also announced they were moving away to be closer to home down in Virginia.
This past summer, another woman who attended the small group announced that her cancer, which had been away for several years, was back. It advanced quickly, and just a couple weeks ago she passed away.
The husband in another couple essentially was demoted at work. It could have been worse thanks to a downsizing, but he has a wife and two kids (with a third on the way) to support.
Today I heard that the other couple attending, our hosts, and the oldest of the group (40s) were in a bad car accident today. The wife was discharged, the husband is being kept in for observation, and their daughter, who is pregnant, is getting back surgery right now.
A few years ago this group seemed stronger than anything. Every other week for years we met together, studied scripture, prayed, ate, and enjoyed our company. In such a short amount of time, this community has been ravaged.
The Church has always been under attack. Until Jesus returns, this will be the case. Prayer, prayer, prayer.
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)
Our primary community was our life group from Bloomsburg Christian Church. The church as a whole was community, but that small group especially was. When we started going, there were several couples, but it grew as large as 14-16.
When we left Bloomsburg to move closer to home in the Harrisburg, PA area, there were maybe 10 of us regularly attending. Saying goodbye hurt deeply. What hurts even more is to see what has happened to this small group since we left.
After we left, one of the young women who attended walked away from her faith. She had been a Christian all her life, but then just decided it wasn't true.
Shortly after, one of the couples also announced they were moving away to be closer to home down in Virginia.
This past summer, another woman who attended the small group announced that her cancer, which had been away for several years, was back. It advanced quickly, and just a couple weeks ago she passed away.
The husband in another couple essentially was demoted at work. It could have been worse thanks to a downsizing, but he has a wife and two kids (with a third on the way) to support.
Today I heard that the other couple attending, our hosts, and the oldest of the group (40s) were in a bad car accident today. The wife was discharged, the husband is being kept in for observation, and their daughter, who is pregnant, is getting back surgery right now.
A few years ago this group seemed stronger than anything. Every other week for years we met together, studied scripture, prayed, ate, and enjoyed our company. In such a short amount of time, this community has been ravaged.
The Church has always been under attack. Until Jesus returns, this will be the case. Prayer, prayer, prayer.
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)
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