Have you ever stepped on a Lego brick while barefoot?
After the pain, shock and wrath subsided; you were probably amazed by how much pain one little Lego could inflict and the amazing strength of that little Lego.
My boys enjoyed creating and building with Lego bricks. Now, the next generation, my grandsons enjoy the creativity of their designs or following blueprints. The thrill of the building process is the same generation from generation. Each generation learning the strength of multiple bricks clicked together, forming hard to destroy cars, airplanes, houses and buildings that make up a community.
This is a time of being on the move, whether it's from daily busyness, children, sports, ministries or the physical move of relocating to another city, state or county. The good thing about community-it's not limited! The definition of community is "A group of people having a particular characteristic in common, a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals."
Communities can be built in your area of interest in gardening, knitting, reading, scuba diving, mountain climbing or playing Bunco. I recently joined a community of Women Over 50. I have enjoyed new fellowship, going bowling, learning the game of Bunco and there's more to come. This from having in common the characteristic of being over 50! Who would have thought! At Anna's Gate, the blueprint is spread on the table. You can hear the sound of Lego bricks locking together. The sounds of sharing the same goal for a well-built foundation reverberates through the construction area. Every person and the people to join Anna's Gate are valuable bricks and have a special place in the construction and maintenance of our community.
Our blueprint to building a solid community is the Bible. Those instructions will never fail in how to build a safe place to dwell. Our praise and worship are the sound of a firm foundation being established. The prayers for ourselves, families, friends, businesses and nations bring them under the support of Anna's Gate strength as a community.
We are human Lego bricks of: Mark 12:31 "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ forgave you." Psalm 94:19 "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy." Romans 12:15 "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Remember that painful stepping on a Lego brick experience and the discovery of the strength of just one Lego. Put that into a spiritual perspective - community can cause a painful surprise to the enemy of our souls. The strength of a community is indestructible.
Lisa Antone
