Christian Brotherhood is not an ideal which we must realise; it is rather a reality created by God in Christ in which we may participate (Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Life Together)
I have observed that we don't do community well. I also observed that I don't do community well. And with that observation I have come to a decision to change that. The last couple of weeks I have spend most of my time (re)connecting with people and it has been a tremendous blessing. I took time, spend money, flew and drove hundreds of miles, just to get together with people; people that have become special to me.
I stayed overnight at a friends place in Canada and we talked and talked, his dented soul eager to download into a receptive heart. Laughter, pain, grieve, loss, disappointment, questions and not too many answers.
I read this thing somewhere about how so many believers pretend. The "I'm Okay Facade" I'd like to call it. We gather in circles, facing each other with happy smiles but quite often our souls are turned away from each other.
For souls to connect we need to come down from our thrones of make believe. How bad is it that we can't live up to the standard we set ourselves to meet? How bad is it that we still face temptations and are plain old jerks many times a day?
Why not admit it? Why pretend to be stronger than we are?
This world and, almost as often, the church, elevates success over failure. To fail is to be weak. Weaklings are dismissed and are to live the remainder of their lives in the margin of existence.
And that's exactly where we find Jesus: in the margins. That's where He hangs out; looking for wandering souls that are crying out for honesty and reality. And they cry out from their pain and brokenness.
True brotherhood is the result of people bonding in their brokenness, not in their successes or victories. Brotherhood is the reality I choose to live in.
Let's cut the crap and be real.
If you struggle with temptation, tell a friend.
If you can't handle money, ask a friend to help you.
If you waste a lot of precious time doing things you shouldn't be doing; make yourself accountable to a friend.
If you struggle in your spiritual life, share your struggles with a friend.
I could go on and on and make this list as long as life.
When you are looking for such a friend, you’ll find yourself looking for a true brother or sister; one you've been bonding with and trust.
It's a matter of living it, not talking about it.
