“It’s all about the people you surround yourself with. You can’t do it alone.”
Okay…let’s play 10 guesses. You get to make 10 guesses at who said that. Go ahead and write them down right now. Write them down before I give you the answer. 
I have never been one to talk a lot about community. In many ways, I see it is as an overworked, overused & overhyped (I know that is not a word but so what if spell check disagrees) word. Not that I see anything wrong with community…not by a long shot. Back in “other days” we used words like “small groups” or “life groups” or (here is a novel one) “friendship groups.” Now we talk about community because…well because we know that we cannot do it alone! So in an effort to promote togetherness or closeness or cooperation we have really (sometimes over)used the word community. And I am okay with that because I know what the whole point about the word is. But I wonder if that is another one of our “Christianese” words???? Or worse…is it another word we use to tear down a barrier that may exist between Christ-followers and those who do not acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God? I reckon the question that I have is this: have we, in our effort to show unity, diversity, etc offered up community as a substitute for answering the hard questions? I am just asking, not pontificating.
For the record: I do believe that quote and wholeheartedly agree with it. Now for the revelation. It did not appear in any “religious” book on the church or on getting along or “how to get a church small” or anything like that. The unlikely source was Lance Armstrong when he was talking to Michael J. Fox about starting up Fox’s foundation. MJF had asked Lance what he thought was the essential ingredient for a successful foundation and that quote was Lance’s answer. Pretty good one for the church and for all Christ-followers to pursue don’t you think? By the way: What do you think? I would like to hear from you.
Glad you had fun on your time away…
This is something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately…do you think people have differing needs for community according to their personality?
I’m truly an introvert. Crowds can bring me panic…I don’t have loads of social interactions every week…we don’t have a church right now so there’s no “small group”…I’m pretty content with my kids, who are all adults and The Husband, who is my best friend. But lately I think…what’s wrong with me? Why don’t I crave interaction with people? Am I anti-social?
I know this is more about giving and receiving support…but these are my thoughts~
Warmly~Robin
Robin: good to hear from you. yes, i do think people have different needs for community. The extroverts (of which I am) have a big need while those who are introverted find less of a need for that interactcion & even accountability. The danger I see is one of withdrawal and “lone ranger-ism.” As for the question: I can’t answer long range. You may be just going through an unsettling time of “finding your way.” that sounds so New Age-ish but I don’t know how else to put it. Thanks for expressing your thoughts. I hope you find some answers.
Community is the current church buzzword for evangelism, I think. Me? I have a hard time trusting people in general, simply because I’m so trusting by nature and I’ve been burned a lot. So, my community is small although my “general circle” is pretty big.
I don’t think the size of the group that we surround ourselves with is what matters – I think it’s a question of whether they are the right people.
I see the quote as dead on. I see it about community (which is an over used word) and connection. We as human beings need each other and we need to be in a community to grow and connected to others. I just think about iron sharpening iron – we need to be knocking the rust and jagged edges off each other and sometimes that takes someone other than a spouse to do.
Just my ramblings.
B: I think you hit the nail on the head in that last statement. Finding the right people to surround yourself with. thanks for the great comment!
Jim: As Bernard said community is the buzzword today but do have it right. We need each other in some way. Finding that right person that can clear the rust off is good. Thanks for the comment.
I too have found it difficult to really get close to people. I think I tend to be an introvert as well and typically don’t seek out a lot of social interaction. I can completely relate to Robin (with the exception of the “no Church”. My wife and I are best friends (or at least I think so… perhaps I should ask her ). In any case, I think it is important to guard who we surround ourselves with. It is way to easy to be pulled into negativity when everyone around you is negative. At the same time it can be a boost when the folks around you are consistently positive. Additionally, finding someone who is trustworthy that one can share the tough stuff with is important also. Without it accountability can be an issue (is that Christianese?)
techgeek: I think you better ask Amanda about that.
You make some points that are worth considering. As for the last sentence: it may or may not be Christianese but it is still true. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
You know I’ve found this to be more and more true as I go through life. The people who you surround yourself with and more importanlty the ones you actually let really get to know you, can be a huge help or hinderance in how you live your Christian walk and your daily life (which should actually be the same thing!) I’ve also become more aware lately of what kind of support and encouragement I need to be to those I am around and am I willing to become involved in the lives of others.
Lanette: Great lesson to learn and to share with us. Thanks! Hope your family is doing well.