I tend to think a lot about “community”, the latest buzz word for the Body of Christ. It’s just the way I’m wired; I’ve always had a passion for the Body. And for a long time I was sure I knew what community was, what it was supposed to look like. But like many far wiser than I, I’m beginning to understand finally how little I really do know. And I’m seeing also how hard true community can be.
I recently interviewed a label owner from Indiana whose entire company lives in community, one of the more unique and inspiring stories I’ve had opportunity to report. I was encouraged not just by his sense of ingenuity and adventure, but also by his honesty as he shared the cost of living and fellowshipping side by side with the people he also works with. He was truthful to say that at times ‘community was repulsive.’ Always ultimately worth the aggravation, but challenging just the same.
The small group I’ve been meeting with for the past year has talked a lot about ‘accountability’ recently, another popular buzzword, one that we all claim to want from one another. Until it’s time to actually address something significant. Then we find that many of us aren’t really up for this level of sacrificial love; it’s more cheap talk than anything else, unfortunately. The scary part, apparently, is the honesty involved. It seems it’s as hard to tell each other the truth as it is to hear it about ourselves.
But I wonder then…. why bother to meet at all? Sara Groves’ stunning new album, Tell Me What You Know, contains a powerful song called “Honesty.” Its lyrics are as follows:
“Here in the stillness/where thoughts are born/here in our frailty we’re tattered and torn…. here in confession/here in our mess/here in the places we’re mostly undressed/mostly….oh honesty/oh honestly/the truth be told /for the saving of our souls.”
The chorus goes on to quote Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “Only the truth and truthfulness can save us now.”
What I love about this song is its perspective of desperation. Groves portrays honesty as ultimately life-giving, even life-saving. I’m frustrated by our unwillingness to pursue truth at all cost, and I feel somewhat lonely in this perspective. I hate to think I have to move to Indiana to find an honest small group.
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on Wednesday, October 10th, 2007 at 8:59 am and is filed under General.
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