Doing Life Together

“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.  Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.  And let us not neglect our meeting together, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:23-25 (NLT)  
 
Life is busy.  There is always something left to do on our list at the end of the day.  I think the more lists we create, the more we like to fill them!  The reality is, we will always have something to do.  But we cannot ever let that be a reason to not connect!   
 

The bible tells us not to ‘neglect our meeting together’. God didn’t create us to do life on our own. The plan of the enemy is to kill, steal, and destroy.  He does that best when we are alone.  If he can get us to place a higher priority on the things we do, we will be in a continual cycle of isolation.    

In his book, Whiter than Snow, Paul Tripp says, “We weren’t created to be independent, autonomous, or self-sufficient.  We were made to live in a humble, worshipful, and loving dependency upon God, and in a loving, humble interdependency with others. Our lives were designed to be community projects. Yet, the foolishness of sin tells us that we have all that we need within ourselves.  So, we settle for relationships that never go beneath the casual. We hold our struggles within, not taking advantage of the resources God has given us.”  
 

That is exactly what a community is – a resource for us to live strong and stay strong.  God intended this from the very beginning.  We need people.  People who will gather around us when we’re weak.  Those who will encourage, uplift and stand with us so we never battle alone.  People in a tribe always care for their own.  I like the wording in the definition of TRIBE: A group of people, caring for one another, who live in the same area and share the same language and culture.  
 
I’d like to think that our love for God and desire to grow together with like-minded people is what qualifies our tribe.  We cannot allow our backgrounds, how we look, level of degrees, age, economic status to disqualify us or the people around us.  In fact, your story makes you who you are.  That is so valuable, and we celebrate that!   
  

I encourage you to be intentional with the people in your life.  Do not allow yourself to be too busy.  Refocus your week and make time for people.  Go out for coffee.  Send a scripture to a friend.  Invite some girls over for a movie night.  Don’t neglect meeting together.  
 
If you have not found your tribe, I would love to invite you to our growing community!  We are all about supporting one another and growing together.  We would love to get to know you! Gateway Women meets every 2nd and 4th Thursday this fall, starting 8/10!  
 
If you would like prayer, support or someone to talk to, please reach out. You are not alone!  I look forward to seeing you this Thursday.  
 
XO, Pastor Cari Stewart