Decisions to Benefit Community

If you follow my blog or keep up with me on Facebook or Twitter, you would know that I recently posted a blog detailing my thoughts about people posting selfies of themselves with a popular red "X" on their hands and stamped on their clothing.  This blog is not about my views on the subject or the people taking the pictures and honestly my opinions on the matter are of very little relevance.

I do find it interesting that the majority of my blogs are written in a tone of inspiration and are meant to show how, through the searching of my own life, I found answers to emotional and spiritual situations I have faced through my 27 years.  The happier posts I have made generate, on average, 30 views according to the stats given to me from Google.  This one post of mine which had hints of negativity to those who did not understand what I was saying, generated 500 page views in 3 days.

But this is not a post about what I have written in the past.  This is a post about leadership and relationship and community and doing what I feel is right according to the way I interpret the Bible.

I think the hardest thing you could ever do in life is to swallow your pride, no matter how right you may know you are, and follow the instructions of a leader.  Following the instructions and requests of a leader are vitally necessary if you are to expect any kind of harmony within the ranks of whatever organization you are working for.  It's not about blindly following a leader no matter what they ask of you.  There are lines which leaders can cross and there are requests which should not be made, those are lines and requests which would bring you into an area of sin by following them.

Community is something the first church in the book of Acts established.  The church grew and was increased on a large scale because of the power of the Holy Spirit and because of the willingness of the new believers to submit to the ways of community.  The early church members sold what they had and evenly distributed their money and possessions amongst everyone in their community so not one person had any lack.  It seems like a nice little thing to call each other "brother" or "sister" but to actually place those words or titles into action is very real and uncomfortable.

In order to maintain a healthy relationship in community you have to be willing to place the needs and desires of others and the community as a whole above your own desires and wants and yes, sometimes your own convictions.  There is an art in denying yourself in order to benefit the community, it is an art that does not feel good, it is painful and uncomfortable but it is necessary for growth.  As my Pastor recently called it, a process of stretching.

So this is me putting aside my selfish, logical, and correct views for the sake and benefit of the community as a whole.

- Cheers.