We long to know we’re not alone. We desire to be seen, known, and belong. But, for many of us, we live with a silent ache wondering if this type of “belonging” is even possible. Or, is it just not possible for us? It’s clear to see that because of the way our culture is structured, we have more access to each other’s lives than ever before. But yet, we can also read the statistics and know that we are a society marked by more loneliness, emptiness, and depression than generations before us. So the evidence proves: more access does not equal deeper community.
Scripture teaches us, however, that we are built for community. It’s more than a craving that we feel; it’s a calling to live the way we were designed. From the very beginning, we see in Genesis 1:26 that God says, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Our triune God exists within community (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit). And it is in the likeness of God where we find our beginning and our purpose.
But cultivating authentic, genuine community can be difficult. And as we have already pointed out, access to community doesn’t guarantee rich, fulfilling relationships. So what’s the secret? What takes a group of people gathered together and transforms them into a powerful display of generosity, love, and devotion to each other’s well being?
At Living Truth Collective, we believe the difference is found in Truth. Until we know the Truth of who God is, and we personally experience His heart for us, we can not fully know ourselves or the purposes we have been created for. Until we know the Truth of grace, forgiveness, and redemption, we will naturally hide behind our stories instead of leading with them.
Apart from Truth, we can not live fully within the community we were designed to know and enjoy. But with Truth, we can walk free (John 8:32). With Truth, we can share our weaknesses and struggles with one another, knowing that it is in our weakness that God’s “grace is sufficient and [His] power is made perfect” (2 Corinthians 12:9). With Truth, we don’t have to be ashamed of our stories, but rather, we can share them boldly knowing all of our sins have been blotted out, erased, forgiven, and we now have the identity of “The Redeemed” (Isaiah 44:22).
Truth sets us free. And Truth shared within the context of community helps us heal, grow, and fulfill the purposes we were created for. We at Living Truth Collective want to help you develop this type of life-giving community, but it must start with Truth: knowing Truth, experiencing Truth, and then sharing Truth with one another.
In knowing Truth, we will know Jesus Himself and understand His heart for us. Because “the Truth is in Jesus” (Ephesians 4:21).
In experiencing Truth, we will silence the lies we have believed, walk in the promises and freedom that are ours through Christ, and be ready for the battles that wait before us (Eph. 6:14).
And in sharing Truth, we will allow others to know and experience the same… even reaching to future generations (Psalm 78:4).
There is so much joy that awaits us on this journey of knowing, experiencing, and sharing Truth… and we can’t wait to walk each step with you.
-Kari