What Community is Not?

My mind wonders a lot and I often find myself thinking what community is not and asking why are people not in community? John 4:4-30 tells us about a woman seeking community, love, and a shared life but all she found was pain and brokenness. Until Jesus comes! (Please READ JOHN 4:4-30)

Wikipedia says: “community usually refers to a group of people who interact and share certain things as a group, this article focuses on human communities, in which intent, belief, resources, preferences, needs, risks and a number of other conditions may be present and common, affecting the identity of the participants and their degree of adhesion.” I believe Wikipedia is on the right path, “Community affects the identity of the participants.”

However, it is lacking something, something deeper; take Debbie “a single woman in her late twenties. She has great leadership gifts and a promising career. Her commitment to her job has made her a rising star in her company. Senior management is beginning to notice her. However, working six days a week has also kept her from having a life outside of work. For the most part, Debbie does not get out much. There is just too much to do. When she is not working, she renovating her loft. Her parents are worried about her. The girl who once had several inseparable friends has drifted away from those relationships. “That’s the price of working for a Fortune 500 company,” she tells them. Besides, she is with people all the time. At work, at her gym, and at her church, people are everywhere. People surround Debbie. True, she does not really know any of them and they do not know her. This was fine, until recently. Doing life alone is taking its toll. Debbie is beginning to feel alone, even in crowds.” What is Debbie seeking? I believe it is authentic community, really focused on and around Jesus Christ.

Do you find yourself seeking authentic community?

What do you think authentic community is?