Community. What does this word bring to mind? When I think of community, I think of a group of people where one can feel a sense of belonging. A place that is safe and intimate. This word provokes images of a place where friends live. Community is a strong word that brings about many emotionsfor some hope of finding acceptance, but for others fear of rejection. For some it brings about peace and contentment from the community they are a part of, but to others it brings a sense of longing for that place to connect. Every person wants to belong to something or to someone. It is built into humanity’s nature and desire.

There are many different avenues that people decide to take to find community that satisfies. Some get involved in a homeowners group, Elks Club, local city council, or possibly a consistent group of people at the bar. Young people try to find identity and community in sports, parties, school events, chat rooms, World of Warcraft, Call of Duty, possibly even a gang. All of this just goes to prove that human nature is driven to find a place to belong.

One might stop to wonder, why are humans so driven in this area? What is the common thread that links this heartfelt longing together?

There are many different ideas about this, but I suggest that it is because humans have a built in need to belong. They have a desire because they are seeking to fulfill a God-given need in their life. This desire for belonging goes beyond just a club or home owners group. It goes beyond a marriage or a family. This need is social, emotional, physical, and most of all it is a spiritual need.

However, most everything that humans get involved in does not meet all of these needs. It may meet only one area of need, thus creating the desire to get involved in many groups to satisfy the inner longings of the heart.

This is one of the very reasons why God established the church. It is a large group of people that function as a body does. Some are the hands and serve the needs. Others are the mouth and encourage the discouraged. Others are the feet that go visit the sick.

The Bible says there are many members in the church but they need to function like one body by looking out for the needs of each other. The church is a true community where people rejoice with those that are joyful but also cry with those who are sad. The church was created to meet the needs of its members because this is what honors God. This is the role of the church.

I don’t know where you are in life. But this I do know: I have been blessed by continually being involved in the local church. It picks me up when I am down, it pushes me in the right direction and I can help those who are in need. You may be reading this and know in your heart that you need such a group that will meet these needs. Then find a local church to get involved in.

At New Hope Community Church we would love for you to visit and become part of our community, but we also know that there are others churches that might be a better fit for where you are in life. So, please stop by and visit New Hope or contact a local church and become involved today.

New Hope Community Church meets at 4 p.m. at the Lake Tapps Christian Church building at 7605 Myers Rd. in Bonney Lake.