Why You Will Thrive in Community

Often when praying for God’s direction, He talked to me about community. Then He showed me how I can thrive in community and all the wonderful benefits.

Do you struggle with blogger contentment? I certainly do!

One morning I woke at 5:00 a.m. and my heart and mind went straight into how to make my blog better, diving into the joys of creativity. Now for some, this is no big deal. But for me, I was making my blog into an idol. Again.

Before fully giving my life to Christ, I walked in rebellion against God, always pitting my way against His. Since I ended my prodigal life, my walk with God is one of surrender, dotted with momentous yielding to His will over mine. I’ve learned His way really is the best way.

So when His conviction pierced my heart at 5:15 in the early morning, I knew He was hooking me with His staff and saying, “No, not that way. THIS way!”

And that’s when God gave me a perspective shift in contentment.

It’s the mindset that no matter how low or high my numbers are as a blogger, I can learn to be content.

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. Philippians 4:11-12 ESV

The Benefits of Community

Years ago when I had a different blog, I treated blogging—and community—differently than I do now. I kept to myself and the thought of even guest writing for another site terrified me. I watched God doing amazing deeds though other bloggers as they walked out their call to write and blog.

In awe of it all I thought, There’s no way I could or WOULD do anything like that!

Then after a three-year season of pruning, God led me back to blogging. Often when praying for His direction, He talked to me about community.

He had plans that I didn’t readily embrace!

But He’s been teaching me that when I am in community, I:

• am in an “accepted” place
• benefit from iron sharpening iron
• have accountability
• see the value of others

The thing is, God’s people too often chase fame instead of community.

Fame is people worshiping you for who they want you to be, but not who you really are. And fame is often a trap that leads to disappointing both the performer and the audience. —Jeff Goins

There’s another convicting truth about fame. God shows me that blogger drive for fame means I’m pursuing my glory in place of His.

Ouch, that’s not easy to admit.

But His kindness leads me to repentance, and when I surrender, He allows me to see His perspective. And it’s bigger than the myopic view I held to for so long.

Your Value in Community

God called me near and shared His heart. He wants women like you to be a voice for His glory.

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Romans 15:5-7 ESV

In order for that to be a reality, we need to keep our blog as an offering for God’s glory, and not allow comparison to divide us. This is where like-minded friends enter the picture.

I obeyed God to open the Blogger Voices Network, and I’m inviting women Christian faith bloggers like you into community with me.

The vision of the Blogger Voices Network is two-pronged. The first is that we would “together with one voice glorify God.” The second is the networking that you will see in action in the days to come.

We’d love for you to check out our join page!

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