Take Courage

“Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid.”

One could spend their life living in a perpetual state of fear and darkness, or one could take courage and trust in God’s grace and spirit.  I firmly believe that our fledgling community, Sobremesa, is at a crossroads of sorts.  Where do we go from here?  Should we fold the towel and close the doors while we’re still ahead?  Should we continue on this journey?  These are the questions we face as members of an intentional community in 21^st century and they are not exactly comforting questions.

It is always bittersweet to see someone depart community. Regardless of why that person left, the transition is tough.  Clare has been with the community since August 2011 and I am used to her being around, so it hard to see her go.

Putting the three of us under one roof proved to be a difficult challenge.  There were many times we wondered how we best could work together because of our different personalities.  In the final analysis, it is apparent that somewhere along our collective journey, communication broke down; a hard reality to face and admit!  Because of this break down we lost a member.

It should be said that I’m glad to know that Clare can live with her truth: that Sobremesa wasn’t something that was bringing out her truest most authentic self.  For one to acknowledge that requires extreme courage and radical honesty.  Indeed the community will miss you Clare!

Today, with one less person in our community we are in the midst of serious inner work and honest conversation.  Why do we exist?  As mentioned above, should we simply throw the towel in?  Why should we continue?  Where are we individually and personally in our commitment to the mission and the vision of this community?

Despite the grief that the community feels, we enter this luminal space with confidence.  This whole intentional community thing is not for the faint hearted.  I suppose many around us may indeed suggest for us to throw in the towel and enjoy life without a commitment to community.  I cannot just throw in the towel, though.  In fact, we are actively seeking new members.  Would participating in the life of this community (you don’t have to live here to be a member) be something that interests you? 

If the answer is yes please take courage and trust that God is calling you to community.  I fear that too many of us have been led to believe that community is a waste of time or too difficult to bring to fruition. We live in a society, generally speaking, that doesn’t value the common life.  Here, in the mecca of individualism, the USA, we remain firmly rooted in God’s Spirit as we continue our shared life, aka Sobremesa. It will be challenge but I’m here to say that will continue to put forth the courage to see how God is calling the community.  I trust Jesus when he says in Mark 6:50, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid.”