When I think about structure and stuff I get really depressed sometimes. For example, when I was looking at the Simple Way stuff that Janet posted about (that was really good stuff by the way, don't get me wrong) I got really depressed.
There can be so much worry that goes along with something like this. For example, a lot of the people who I talk to who have been in or live in intentional communities talk about how it's SO HARD it's almost impossible (which I don't believe has to be the case by the way) and it can be really daunting.
I think it's that I don't want to follow Intentional Community Structure. I want to follow Jesus.
The only goodness of Intentional Christian Community is the extent that it's full of Love. There is nothing intrinsically good about Intentional Christian Community.
But then I'll have a loving interaction with someone and realize that THIS is what it's all about.
Don't get me wrong, lets have structure and rules and stuff.
My friend Russ who lives in Georgia at a Christian Commune that I really loved living at said that he really wished that when they got together for the community meetings they would say, "So, what are we going to do this week to follow Jesus?" Lets do that. Let's not let it become about maintaining the structure and functionality of the community. Let's make that come 2nd to Love.
So what are we going to do this week to follow Jesus?
Also, I was thinking the other day about how I kind of feel something like the feeling of "being in love" towards all of y'all who are living there. Yes you too Weston. Seriously. I know it's weird. Just thought I'd say it. But I'm kind of somewhat in love with y'all. It makes doing the dishes not feel like a chore.
Love,
Dan
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4 comments:
I think maybe instead of worrying about the structure which could get in the way of our intentions of following Jesus, we should just go into this knowing that that is an obstacle we need to work to avoid. The more we acknowledge that there is the possibility of becoming more structure-oriented versus Jesus-oriented, the less likely, I think, we are to stumble in that area.
And Dan I totally don't think the feelings of love for the other housemates is weird at all. I've known a good majority of you guys less than maybe anybody and I've already acknowledged in my heart there is a newfound love for you guys. Actually, I was thinking about this morning while I was scrubbing the stove because I was worried you guys might get sick from eating off of it.
This week, I'm trying to pray for everybody individually daily, which I think has a lot to do with this newfound love growing, and trying to discover how I can serve the other housemates in our little casa right now as we all begin to adjust and settle in with our 9 other room mates.
I'm still very excited about this and while I know we will have our hard times, I can already tell the blessings are going to far surpass those speed bumps.
Love, Cassie
i'm really glad you're living with us! it's exciting :)
Oh Dan, you know I love you (it's not weird) and I hope to learn that I can love the rest of you too as we get closer to one another. Who knows, we may become each other's second family.
Dan, your post was beautiful and i agree. Cassie agrees in much better words (and paragraphs). I look forward to meeting and discussing, and learning new ways to follow jesus and doing them together. I was telling someone that lately actually doing the things Jesus said to do seems do-able because i'm living with you guys, and you want to do the things he says.
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