Family Fight Night

I was thinking this morning, before the day truly got under way, about writing regarding family. And as the day progressed, and proceeded to get away from me, little did I know just how on point my initial thoughts were earlier in the day.

For we all look and hope to be a part of a community that feels as though we were a part of the greatest, most loving and enjoyable family to be around. This is especially true if such a sentiment is not the reality of your actual family.

What's worse, is that this isn't the sentiment for many within the family of God, within the context of the four walls of the church, either.

And yet, our love for each other as members of the family unit prompts us to endure matters and situations that we otherwise wouldn't. For instance, we keep walking when a parent is struggling with an upset and "unacceptable" behavior or attitude of a child; but when it's your child, you stay engaged. And sadly the younger ones don't quite grasp the concept of fighting for them rather than fighting against them. We press for the conversations and input into matters of life that we wouldn't care about if those involved weren't our sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters. But because they are, we involve ourselves.

Yet, so many are "dechurched" and disengaged from the church, because they felt the church didn't care. And people disengage from actual community for the same reasons. So how does a church change a community if the people already in the church don't feel positively towards the community of believers?

And for that we pray.

On this #communitySaturday, pray that we see each other as family. Pray that we care more, love more and engage more. Even when it's hard, challenging and frustrating; when it's time-consuming, emotionally draining and financially expensive... may we show the care and compassion of Christ by considering others before ourselves. May we be willing to fight for our neighbor more than we would fight against them.

For the glory of God
And the cause of Jesus Christ.

- PNC

**DeGarmo & Key's song Stand, Fight Win was playing on the internet radio station as I finished this post! :-)