I know God loves the world, and all of us that by grace and by gravity walk on this great planet. And Jesus loves me, “this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” I have read the scriptures telling of the ways Jesus’ love was unconditional. He loved the lost and rejected, the rich and the poor. He also loved those whose religion had handicapped their faith as much as physical blindness had handicapped the lives of others. Loving this varied lot of humanity, Jesus also healed many. People testified that it reached beyond an individual’s physical wellbeing. It was also deeply spiritual. “Your sins are forgiven you,” Jesus would say. “Your faith has made you well,” he said to another. “Do you want to be well?” he said to one whose struggle must have been obvious to all, yet none had taken the time or shown any interest in helping him get to the place of healing.

Here’s my question — what about all the others? What of the others who never saw Jesus; were never taken to Jesus; were never healed by Jesus? Surely there were others equally in need of healing. Were they simply left to continue life as best they could? No! Thank God there was this New Community, formed to live lives modelled after Jesus’ way of healing love.

In his book, Practicing the Way of Jesus, author, Mark Scandrette, in a chapter titled, “Experiments in Community,” offers an insight that sparked a thought I’d like to pass along.

“Life in community reveals who we really are. We bring our best and worst to our relationships with one another. Our sense of belonging is where we may feel the most wounded and where the gospel of Jesus offers us the greatest hope. Jesus modelled and promised a revolutionary way of love that could transform our relationships on every level.”

It is easy to feel overwhelmed right now, seeing the many in need who are beyond our ability to help. The essence of community is not limited by our gathered presence. It is furthered by our spirit of togetherness in seeking God’s presence no matter how distant we may be from one another geographically. Community is that sense of being for each other, no matter our different paths, knowing we are journeying together in a common hope, a shared prayer, a gathering of hearts. As a community of faith, gathered — and scattered — in Jesus’ name, our reach is incredible, as the Spirit of God partners with us in whatever we offer for his use and glory.

You are reaching people I may be unable to reach. Yet my prayers, and the prayers of others, offering strength, insight and peace to you, bring us together as a community of healing and hope. Those within your reach are being blessed right now, by your saving acts of compassion, prayer and kindness.

Let’s keep on lifting each other in prayer, as we do what we can do, and as we trust in God to provide the miracles and blessing.