Welcome Week, Sardines, and Community

Welcome week with CGA was filled with many times of rolling on the floor laughing, intimate time with The Father, and copious amounts of fabulous food. It was a week where community was valued and growth was encouraged.

This week while playing a game of Sardines I came to realize that I was the absolute worst at playing that game. I mean I am horrendous. There were multiple times where I was the last one out of thirty people, after wandering around close to an hour. It was pathetic to say the least. But praises that I can laugh at myself and had a wonderful group to laugh with me. Near the end of one of the rounds I was reminded of what true community does for one another. Instead of leaving me to fend for myself individuals would come to me so I wouldn’t be left on my own, others would leave the hiding place so they could try to corral me into finding the rest of the group, and then others subtly yelled my name.

Yes, it sounds even more pathetic when you have a clearer picture but oddly enough it was comforting. It was comforting knowing that I had a group to guide me when I was a bit lost and to call my name when I was wandering on my own. And I don’t know about you but that sounds a lot like what the Kingdom of God looks like. A group of individuals that are all on their own path but some get lost and confused along the way. So, rather than leaving everyone behind they choose community over selfishness. They guide others when they are lost and they yell their name to get them to join the group again. It beautiful, honestly. And after this week I am even more grateful that I have been blessed with a community that chooses to walk in a selfless Christ-centered lifestyle vs a selfish individualistic lifestyle.