GroshLink

Thank-you to the daily asterisk* for reminding me of the below quote.

If a community withholds trust, it withholds membership.  If it cannot trust, it cannot exist.

Wendell Berry
Sex, Economy, Freedom, and Community

As my pastor recently wrapped up a study of Nehemiah, I've been thinking about whether one can enter a community unless one embraces a community's way of life and story. Many spend their time trying to find communities (educational, home, religious, vocational) which will meet most (if not each and every one) of their needs/desires/wants.

Yes, a community should reach out and extend hospitality, but that is not the same as entertaining, appeasing, selling out in order to twist oneself in every way possible to meet each and every need/desire/want of all who consider becoming part of a community or live within a certain geographic area. A community must locate itself in the unique call which it has been, e.g., what happens to a Christian college which bends over backward to open its door to students of all faith traditions. ... What happens to the people of God when they forget their call before God? ... More on this at another time.  Must attend to other matters.   Much on the plate today.  Pray for wisdom and discernment in a number of conversations.