Spiritual Tools for Hungry Souls

1. a social group of any size whose members reside in a specific locality, share government, and often have a common cultural and historical heritage.
2. a locality inhabited by such a group.
3. a social, religious, occupational, or other group sharing common characteristics or interests and perceived or perceiving itself as distinct in some respect from the larger society within which it exists: the community of scholars;
4. a group of associated nations sharing common interests or a common heritage:
5. Ecclesiastical. a group of men or women leading a common life according to a rule.
6. Ecology. an assemblage of interacting populations occupying a given area.
7. joint possession, enjoyment, liability, etc.
8. similarity; agreement; identity
9. the community, the public; society

Despite our thoughts about it, we are part of communities in every aspect of our lives. In reality, we cannot survive without some resemblance of community in and around us.

The importance of community becomes apparent when we all work together to accomplish a common goal. Community helps us exchange and implement ideas that we may never have on our own. We turn to community for companionship, fellowship, help, and validation, among other things.

This should come as no surprise to spiritually-minded people. If we believe we are all one in Spirit, then we should also recognize that we are each an individual energy force working for the good of all. In short, we all need each other to survive spiritually, physically, emotionally, and mentally.

Personally, I find it very sad to see people ignore the power and blessing of community. It is always wonderful to see a group of people come together to help one another, especially when the goal is to lift up those who are trodden down by circumstances or situations.  Of course, we can minister to people individually, but the power of a community, no matter if they are big or small, is so much greater!

My favorite communities have been there for me during some of my darkest days.  When I left and divorced my abusive husband, a community of supporters was close by to help and support me and my decision.  And, of course, my local and church community was there to support me when our house burned down.

Looking back on those times, I am not sure I would have gotten through those times without them.

Yes, we are each an individual expression of Spirit.  But we are meant to work together as communities.  I don’t think we could survive effectively without them!