Community Requires Openhearted Communication

Daily writing promptHow would you improve your community?View all responses

Genuine community requires honest caring and openhearted communication. It can’t be built on trivial talk that hides what’s really going on inside people’s heart.

Without heart-felt community people tend to shut down tender, caring communication. Instead, they mainly talk about superficial subjects in superficial ways. Then they feel isolated and alone.

The first step to improve any community is to cultivate an ongoing atmosphere where people feel safe to open their heart and courageously reveal both their concerns and struggles and their celebrations. Unfortunately, honest, heart-sharing community is difficult to find outside of formal support groups and compassionate counseling sessions.

People can’t be compelled to open their heart up to other people. Trying to force people to share what’s on their heart doesn’t work. But seeing other people open up and feeling the love that fills a room when they do, gives people the courage to do the same.

If you want to be connected heart-to-heart to others, don’t wait for someone else to move beyond trivial talk. Boldly be the first and you will notice that your vulnerability opens the door for other people to be vulnerable as well.

Christianity is supposed to be about heart-connection with the risen Jesus and with other people. Unfortunately, over the centuries it morphed into a formalized religious program presented on Sunday mornings. However, when you read the Bible, you see a different story. The writers open their heart to you and honestly reveal their failures, their struggles, and their victories. Another step toward genuine community is to begin to daily read the New Testament (the last third of the Bible) with an open, humble heart and then do what it says.

Christ in you is supposed to be an ongoing reality. Christ-followers are called to be transformed into His image from glory to glory as we behold the Lamb of God, surrender our will to His presence, and make room for Jesus to live in and direct our life by His Spirit, moment by moment. Jesus living in you is more than any metaphor can explain. The Holy Spirit wants to teach us to be continually aware of His presence and to promptly obey His inner promptings.

The risen Jesus is still living! Make room for His presence wherever you are. Let Christ in you give you the courage to open your heart to people and let them see His presence and love flowing out of you throughout the day. Then you will improve your community wherever you go.

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