we are supposed to be the church. not "have" church or "go to" church but BE the church. we should be living life with one another, encouraging each other, loving each other, and lifting each other up in thoughts and prayers. we aren't supposed to be selfish with our time and resources. our society has made such a big deal about taking care of yourself and letting the others figure it out for themselves. we've become so consumed with looking out for ourselves first and foremost. check this out....
"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself: do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others" - Philippians 2:3-4
i think that is what being the church is all about. i ask God daily to let me operate with humility of mind so that i can look at others as more important than myself. that doesn't mean i neglect myself and my personal relationship with God, but it does mean that i'm not to be selfish. i think the body of Christ, when operating at its full capacity, is the picture of humility. each active participant in the church is looking out for others' interest. i think when we do that, we build authentic community with one another and that does nothing but strengthen all of us. that's a beautiful thought that i feel like we have lost touch with.
so i challenge you - and i'm challenging myself with this as well....ask for that humility of mind and then do something for someone. some random act of kindness...take someone to dinner, or coffee or mow your neighbors grass or whatever comes to mind for you - and don't ask or expect anything in return. just love someone and allow God to do whatever it is that He wants to do in your heart...be open to what he's doing. just love.