Community

What does COMMUNITY mean to you?

      I think in our generation, the meaning of this word has become lost in a lot of ways. Through technology and social media, our ideas of community have changed. It has broadened our "community" online, but what has happened to community in the "Real World."


      After having a meal with a friend this past week, it was confirmed that this is not an issue I only face here in Nashville, but that several suffer within other places. And honestly, I think it is a time for reform. We have become a society who is very focused on our phones, social media accounts, and employment that the reality of community with your neighbors and those close to you has taken a beating.


     I was a nomad (in all sense of the word) growing up. We moved around every 3-4 years and were always in different schools. However, I ALWAYS remember my parents making quick friends, developing meaningful relationships, having people over to the house or vice versa, and these relationships are still ongoing though we haven't lived in those cities for years. Those friendships have developed me to have family all over to visit. I continue to move a lot in my adult life and long for the friendships my parents had/have. But, for some reason, developing actual friendships is so much harder now.


     When I moved to Nashville, I was excited to move to this town and start a life here with my husband. We became involved with our church and both of our jobs. When a year had gone by without developing friendships that were meaningful, I chalked it up to Alan's traveling schedule and my work schedule. Give it another year. As the time has passed, it seems as though being more involved in things and invitations extended does not get you far in these developments. Repeated invitations were either declined or some excuse would appear at the last minute. Is it me or is there a deeper issue? I tend to believe a deeper rooted issue.


      My social media life, I would say, is very full. I have a lot of "friends" and keep up with them pretty well. I post pictures of my life and people like them. That's what friends do, right? We comment back and forth and keep up to date on each other's lives. It's all quite easy and we can text or message or e-mail someone when we need something. I would say it is a pretty fulfilling social life, in that aspect, and I am sure every one of you can say the same. BUT, when is the last time you dug deeper?


      When was the last time you invited someone to do something? Dinner over, lunch, movie, play dates, etc? When was the last time you accepted an invitation from someone? When was the last time you invited someone new to your neighborhood/church/social circle to do something so you could get to know them better....instead of befriending them on Facebook? How long has it been since you invited someone to do something other than an event at church or small group, just to be able to dig deeper with that person? When was the last time you INVESTED in a person outside of the four walls of your house?


       I feel like all of these things are being thrown by the wayside as we can "learn" a person through their social media accounts, which is often superficial. I believe the phenomena of social media has decreased our concern for those around us and decreased the relationships God intended us to have, as humans. We can so easily voice our opinions, learn just what we want about people, make and break plans without hearing a disappointed voice on the other end, and live a virtual life. I believe that we are lacking in what God meant most for us and are therefore shorting ourselves of the pleasures we can obtain from community.


       Life is hard. It is even harder when you are facing it alone in a world full of people. These personal relationships that dig deeper are what we all need and what God meant for us to have. It's easy to go to church events or social events and see people, make simple conversations, and go home, but we are wired for deeper relationships. So many of us struggle from similar things yet feel isolated in this world because our superficial relationships make everyone else's life seem wonderful. We need to go through life with people where we can share the struggles and the good times.


    So, this all being said, I challenge you. I challenge you to invite someone to get deeper. I challenge you to become vulnerable and take a chance on a deeper relationship with someone. I challenge you to invite a new family to dinner or sit down with someone you met at an event one on one. I challenge you to not use social media as your social event of the day, but make it be with a neighbor or someone from work or from some other event. Let's return this world to how it's supposed to be. Because we can all face the world when it is done in community.