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Thanksgiving Blessing Tree: A Family Activity

November 25, 2015 by Patti Brown Leave a Comment

Make a Thanksgiving Blessing Tree with your family this year! Count your blessings around the table and create a unique holiday decoration at the same time!

A Thanksgiving blessing tree is a unique way to decorate for Thanksgiving, that also nurtures a heart of gratitude in your children.

This is an activity we used to do every year when my children were small, and that we are reviving this year. After all, you are never too old to be thankful! In the past I have traced leaves by hand on construction paper, but this year I made a leaf printable, with scriptures on one side of each leaf.

The premise is simple – create a “tree” out of bare branches, and attach leaves on which are written things for which you are thankful. Each leaf also has a scripture on it. Reading aloud each person’s blessings around the Thanksgiving table is a family tradition I think you’ll truly enjoy.

Thanksgiving Tree

Materials

vase or flower pot
twigs or small branches
sand, floral marbles or small rocks to weight down your container
card stock or construction paper
scissors
crayons (if using white paper)
pens
tape

Instructions

1) Print your leaves. I like to print enough for at least three leaves per person, but we often use a lot more. If you can, use card stock or construction paper (see special instructions for printing on construction paper here) so the leaves will hold up better, but if all you have is printer paper, that will work too.

Printable scripture leaves for Thanksgiving tree at DoNotDepart.com — *Click on the image above to go to the downloadable file*

2) Cut out the leaves. If you give this job to your children, remember to focus on being thankful that they can use scissors safely and don’t worry too much about whether the leaves are cut perfectly. :-)

3) If you have printed on white paper or card stock, have the kids color the leaves red, yellow, orange, brown and maybe even a few green.

4) Find a few bare branches in your yard and place them in a vase or pretty flower pot. Weight the container and stabilize the branches by pouring sand, floral marbles or rocks into your container while holding the branches in position. Your “tree” is ready for leaves!

5) On Thanksgiving day have your children bring around baskets or trays with the leaves and pens to your guests. Each person can write something he or she is thankful for on the blank side of a leaf. The more leaves on your tree the better!

6) Tape the stem of each leaf onto a branch of your tree.

7) Take some time during or after the meal to read the leaves aloud.

We would love to see pictures of your Thanksgiving trees! Share them in the comments or on our facebook page!

What family traditions do you have that help you focus on your blessings at Thanksgiving?

Try this simple activity on Thanksgiving to help kids focus on their blessings. #LetTheChildrenCome

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Make a Thanksgiving blessing tree using our free scripture printable. #LetTheChildrenCome

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Becoming Love – 1 John 4:17-18

November 19, 2015 by Caroline 4 Comments

“This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” – 1 John 4:17-18 (NIV)

If you want a book to accompany this study on 1 John 4, I definitely recommend [amazon_link id=”1400203759″ target=”_blank” ]Love Does[/amazon_link] by Bob Goff. Bob shares awesomely radical stories of living out love in action, all while pointing to God, not to himself.

In this book, Bob’s main mission is this: “Love everybody, always.”

Why is that his mission? Because of 1 John 4:7-16.

I recently had to the opportunity to hear Bob speak, and he shared this same thing. We love because God loves us (1 John 4:19).

And that love changes things.

But here’s the catch: it can’t change just one or two things. It has to change everything.

But here’s the boost: It doesn’t have to change everything all at once. It can change one or two things at a time. (These thoughts are summarized from Bob’s book. Definitely read Love Does for more on this.)

I think this is one of my still-here issues, even after years of being a believer. I feel like all my change needed to happen at once. But that’s just not change works.

Our lives are the process of love being made complete.

We as people are not perfect.

But, we have a perfect love already in us when we love God and know God loves us (1 John 4:7).

That doesn’t mean we act perfectly. That doesn’t mean our lives run perfectly.

The New Bible Commentary says:

“The presence of God in us is the way love is ‘perfected among us’… In this world we are like him: we are children of the Father and Jesus is our model. The world did not welcome Christ and it does not welcome Christ’s people. But on the day of judgment the Judge will understand all.” (p. 1407, [amazon_link id=”0830814426″ target=”_blank” ]New Bible Commentary)[/amazon_link]

What does this mean for our “why” and our “what” of living this love out?

It means we fail at love, but we can keep turning back to Christ’s example.

It means we can love the people hard to love.

It means we can accept God’s love without guilt, without shame, without condemnation (Romans 8:1-2).

It means can love without fear and love with encouragement, forgiveness, and grace–not punishment (1 John 4:18).

“Fear and love are incompatible. Fear, John proceeds, has to do with punishment, but God’s perfect love reassures us.” – New Bible Commentary, p. 1407

But I do fear at times. Do you? What about then?

We look to the examples of love we’ve been give. It’s a process. We all need reminders to take steps along to way to that perfect love and that fully developed trust.

Mary was afraid (Luke 1:29-30), but God sent comfort.
Jairus’s household was afraid (Mark 5:35-36), but Christ said to believe.
The disciples were afraid (Matthew 14:26-27), but Christ called for courage.

When we fear, we can trust (Psalm 56:3) and remember His love (1 John 4:19). His perfect love that drives out fear.

“For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy … Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:14, 22-25 (NIV, emphasis added)

EXTRA BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK:

Read through 1 John 4:7-21 again.
Read through each of the verses tagged above in this post.
Get two or three index cards. Write down one verse on each card to pull out of your pocket and read whenever you feel fear creeping in or feel stuck on loving others. (You can use a verse from this post, or choose another that reminds you of His perfect love.) Alternate idea: You can make lockscreens with these verses, phone images, etc. if you prefer to go digital!

How do you see God’s perfect love around you? What helps you refocus on His love when you begin to feel fear trying to get in?

#SinceGodLovedUs, we can become love, too. But it’s a process:

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Today, the #SinceGodLovedUs study with @DoNotDepart looks at 1 John 4:17-18:

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3 Reasons Not to Doubt Your Salvation – Study of 1 John 4:13-16

November 17, 2015 by Lindsey 2 Comments

A few months ago, a friend of mine shared with me that she worried she wasn’t really saved.

This friend loves Jesus. She loves other people. She’s active in the church and in other areas of ministry.

But she feared that wasn’t enough. She feared the mistakes from her past would separate her from God today.

I felt confident she had nothing to fear, partially because of today’s text in 1 John 4:13-16:

“This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.“

These verses provide three ways for us to know we have God in our lives.

3 Reasons NOT to Doubt Our Salvation:

We can know we are saved because of His Spirit in us (verse 13).

We don’t have to doubt our salvation because we can know God’s spirit lives in us.

The only trouble with this is that sometimes, we question whether or not we actually have God’s Spirit. After all, we can’t see the Spirit inside of us.

We should be able to see Fruits of the Spirit, though. Galatians 5:22-23 says that those who have God’s Spirit in them will show love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

That doesn’t mean we won’t mess up, though. We will always fall short, but if we are growing in these traits, we can know God’s Spirit lives in us.

We can know we are saved because we have acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God and Savior of the world (verses 14-15).

A second way we can know we have God’s presence in our lives is by remembering the day we first acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God and Savior of the world.

Matthew 10:32 reminds us, ““Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.”

We can know we are saved because of our love (verse 16).

Finally, we don’t have to doubt our salvation because God’s presence will show itself in our lives through our love.

Verse 16 says, “Whoever lives in love lives in God.”

This is why I knew my friend had God in her life. She loved others and she loved God.

The easiest way to know if someone loves God is by looking at the way they love other people.

Those who don’t love others probably haven’t experienced the amazing, life-changing love of God. Because the truth is, no one who experiences the extravagant love of God stays the same.

Action Steps:

Memorize Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness and self-control.”
Think of one act of love you can do for someone else today.
Ask God to grow the fruits of the Spirit in your life.

3 Ways to Know God Is In Your Heart via @LindseyMBell #SinceGodLovedUs

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Study of 1 John 4:13-16 #SinceGodLovedUs @LindseyMBell

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The easiest way to know if someone loves God is by looking at the way they love other people. @LindseyMBell #SinceGodLovedUs

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When it’s hard to love – 1 John 4:7-12

November 12, 2015 by Lisa Burgess 20 Comments

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:7

My love is being tested.

On our Wednesday afternoon rotations, we knock on a door in the public-housing complex, announce we have a meal, and chat in the hallway for a few minutes.

But one apartment is particularly tough. Because, well, it is particularly foul. #521 (not the real number) belongs to Darryl (not his real name).

He calls us in. We set the dinner on the counter. Roaches scatter. Smells overwhelm.

And Darryl just sits in the corner. Every week, same spot. He mumbles thanks and that’s it.

So each week, I dread the entry, hold my breath, and pray for grace.

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:8

I have a hard time loving Darryl. [Read more about Darryl here.]

But if I can’t love the least of these, can I say I love God?

It doesn’t start with us, I know that. We don’t initiate love. God initiates love. Through Jesus. Every time. Every day. For every person.

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 John 4:9-10

Not only does God love, God is love. I can’t fully grasp it.

But instead of knocking it around in my mind, going nowhere, I have to knock on a door and step inside.

The past few months I set new goals:

Knock on #521
Give a genuine smile
Engage in conversation with Darryl

I don’t need to just talk about love, to study love, to pray about love . . . I need to do love.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:11

If God abides in us, if Love abides in us, anything is possible, right?

Week after week, Darryl and I slowly engage. I ask a question; he gives a short answer.

Then he talks a little more. And then he shares about his past. And now he’s laughing and story-telling and making our visits enjoyable.

Last Wednesday, not only do I notice how much he talks now—would he talk an hour if we could stay?—but I also notice something else new.

No roaches. Less clutter. And the odor is gone.

I haven’t seen God in person (not yet anyway). But I know I’ve seen God in a person. I see Him on Wednesday afternoons in #521. He meets me there when I knock on the door. And we engage in conversation.

No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
1 John 4:12

It’s not because we love God so much that things change.
It’s because God loves us so much.

Despite our filth, He cleans us up.
In our shallowness, He digs deeper.
Out of our fears, He creates friendships.

If God can love us at our worst, we can pursue love for each other with our best. Because in those moments when we do, “God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us—perfect love!” (1 John 4:12 Msg)

TO DO THIS WEEK:

PRAY
Prepare your heart before you read. Ask God to speak life through His words, to give you fresh insights, to tear down any walls.
READ TWICE
First, receive God’s love for you as you read through 1 John 4:7-12. Then, read it again, listening for a specific person or situation you can pour that love back into.
PLAN
Brainstorm practical ways you can love this person. Make a phone call? Send an encouraging email? Invite to dinner? Take a small gift? Do an act of service? Just smile and say hello? No act of love is too small.
ACT
Do it. Go make God’s love manifest in your world.

When it’s hard to love, what do you do? #SinceGodLovedUs

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It’s not because we love God so much that things change. It’s because He loves us so much.

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Is there a difficult person you’re called to love in your life?
Have you made progress?
What more can you do?
Please share in the comments.

1 John 4 – Scripture Image

November 10, 2015 by Ali Shaw Leave a Comment

As our faithful readers know, the purpose of Do Not Depart is to offer you “Tools and Encouragement to Abide in the Word.” And because we’re studying 1 John 4 this month in our new series, Since God So Loved Us, we’re giving you a free Scripture image of the entire passage.

Feel free to download the image and save it to your computer or cell phone.

What can you do with it?

Read over the Scripture once a day
Pray that God would help you “test the spirits” and know that He “is love.”
Share it with a friend who could use these reminders
Challenge yourself to memorize a verse or section of this chapter

We pray that you’ll enjoy the image and continue learning with us this month as we dive further into the “why” and the “what” of living in God’s love.

Here’s a free Scripture image of 1 John 4, just for you! #SinceGodLovedUs

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Testing Spirits: How to Recognize a Fake

November 5, 2015 by Ali Shaw 2 Comments

For today’s segment of our Bible study, please read 1 John 4:1-6

There are lots of fakes and counterfeits in the world.

I read something today that I’d never heard before. My cousin posted on social media just this morning that the Secret Service can recognize counterfeit money because they’re so familiar with real bills that a fake stands out immediately. (Turns out, they do actually train with fake money, too, but always in light of the real deal.)

Here’s a seemingly unconnected thought… growing up, my family often drank Tang with breakfast. (Does anybody else remember that stuff?) Even though as kids we really liked it, I also remember loving the taste of real orange juice. But Tang was cheaper, so we often got that instead.

What’s my point? A fake might look similar (or even like Tang, taste somewhat similar) but it’s not the real thing. Fake money has no value- it buys nothing. Fake OJ might taste yummy to a 5 year old, but it’s still just a cheap copy.

A fake is a fake.

And being familiar with what’s real will help you identify a cheap copy.

Since God Loved Us {1 John 4 study} — Original photo credit

And that brings me to 1 John 4:1-6.

Remember that I said there are lots of fakes in the world? Well, John said the same thing in verse one.

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

I love this from the Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Bible Commentary:

“There is but one Spirit of truth, and one spirit of Antichrist.” …which “speak by men’s spirits as their organ.”

Yep. There’s only one Spirit of truth. And the more familiar we are with God the more we’ll recognize that truth. The more we read and know His word, the better we’ll be able to test other spirits (or teachings, religions, world viewpoints, cultural acceptances and practices) to see where they measure up or fall short.

And in verse two, John gives us a really easy test to be able to tell a lie from the truth. (1 John 4:2) If the spirit teaches that Jesus came in the flesh… if it has what we’d call a gospel message… then it’s truth.

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.” (John 14:6)

And if the spirit is false? What does that mean? Verse three tells us: If the teaching goes against God, the Bible, and the life, works, and words of Jesus… then it is a lie and is of the spirit of the Antichrist!

Since God so loved us, He gives us the “why” so we can live out the “what.” He had John pen a formula for overcoming false, lying spirits. It goes like this: Having Jesus = Overcoming. The reason why this formula works? Because: Truth > Lies

Pretty easy, huh? It reminds me of the song, Victory in Jesus. …A victory that any of us can have by simply believing in the truth (Jesus as our resurrected savior).

And Jesus in our hearts will help us identify all the fakes in the world that can never measure up to His truth… His sacrificial love for us, His mercy, His forgiveness, His grace, His faithfulness. No lie of another religion, no worldview of “loving”-acceptance-of-everything-under-the-sun, no false spirit teaching us otherwise could even hold a candle to the light of the truth of who Jesus is and what He’s done for us!

Because He’s not a fake. He, my friend, is the real deal.

Action Steps:

Read 1 John 4:1-6. What “false prophets” exist in the world today? What false spirits are present now and who do they tend to mislead? When did John say the spirit of the Antichrist came? When was 1 John most likely written?
Read 1 John 4:1-6. Read John 10:5 and 8. How has the Shepherd’s voice kept you from going astray? What practical things can you do to help yourself hear God’s voice better?
Read 1 John 4:1-6. Focus on verse 6. John says “We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us.” The word John uses for” listen” is akou’o. The figurative definition is: to hear God’s voice, which prompts him to birth faith within. A variation of this word is used in Rom 10:17. How could this form of listening help us test for false spirits?

John tells us to test the spirits and recognize a fake. Part of 1 John 4 Bible Study @DoNotDepart #SinceGodLovedUs

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Jesus in our hearts helps us identify false spirits in the world. #SinceGodLovedUs

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Since God So Loved Us {new month-long study}

November 3, 2015 by Caroline 5 Comments

I remember having conversations with a good high school friend about the difference between a believer and a person with “good character.” At the time, I wasn’t a believer myself, though I was searching (and this particular conversation was a key point for me, thanks in part to my amazing, God-following friend).

He made the comment that a person with “good character” still exhibits good choices, good intentions, but the main difference is the why behind all of those actions and thoughts.

Why the “Why” Matters

The why recenters our hearts and minds.

The why helps us persevere.

The why opens our opportunities to serve all people.

The why of God’s love also leads to the what of living as a believer.

“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” – 1 John 4:11 (NIV)

Studying the “Why”

One of my favorite chapters in the New Testament is (and has been for a long time) 1 John 4. It’s all about the why and the what of living in God’s love.

This month, we’ll read through 1 John 4 together, study each verse, and surround ourselves with the truth of God’s love and how that changes us.

“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” – 1 John 4:9-10 (NIV)

We’d love to study this together with you and grow together in God’s love.

Want some extra study until the next post?

Read through 1 John 4 twice between now and Ali’s post later this week.
Write down three verses that stand out to you about the why and the what of God’s love.
Write down two or three questions you have. Share them in the comments below! We’d love to study and search with you on those questions during this month.

We’re studying 1 John 4 this month. Join us! #SinceGodLovedUs

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In 1 John 4, we learn about the ‘why’ and the ‘what’ that comes from #SinceGodLovedUs:

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Depression – Truths to Hang On To, Recap

October 30, 2015 by Ali Shaw Leave a Comment

This month, we’ve taken a good look at the realities of depression.

We hope that we’ve encouraged you to hang on to God’s truths. We pray that whether you’re hurting or comforting a loved one, our words brought you hope and pointed you to our loving and present God.

Depression and Biblical Truths to Hang on to... for help and encouragement read more at DoNotDepart.com

This month we’ve asked if you:

Can’t feel God’s presence? I wrote about remembering the truth of God’s presence, even when you feel alone in your depression.

Tend to be a worrier? Lisa shared with us the great reminder that God provides daily grace to give us the power to stay in the moment and overcome anxiety.

Are you grieving this holiday season? If you are, we pray that you’d find great comfort through Lindsey’s helpful tips.

Trying to find your role in all of this? Caroline pointed out that none of us are exempt from dealing with depression because we are to emulate Christ’s call and love for community and help the hurting among us.

Overwhelmed by your emotions? Fight the lies about your identity that depression brings by steeping in what the Word says about who you are in Christ. Print the list of scriptures that Patti shared.

So, again, thank you for joining us this month. Depression is a hard topic and a, well, depressing subject. But the truth of the matter is that its reach affects all of us.

But as big as it is, our God is bigger!

“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted

and saves the crushed in spirit.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

but the LORD delivers him out of them all.” (Psa 34:18,19)

Who You Are Is Not Defined By How You Feel

October 29, 2015 by Patti Brown 2 Comments

Depression has become a serious issue for some Christians. The impact of depression can be profound. And being a Christian does not get you an automatic “get out of depression free” card, like life was some gigantic Monopoly game.

But why does depression plague God’s children? Is there a way to healing?

Feelings

Recently I journaled through some of the seasons of depression I have experienced. I wondered if I could find any common threads.

I discovered two themes that ran through all of my struggles with depression over the years:

I felt that in some way I had failed
I felt that I had no control

I felt.

That itty bitty sentence speaks volumes about the heart of depression.

I – The one thing I am consistently able do when I am depressed is focus on myself. Not in the sense of healthy self-care, alas. More like obsessive dwelling on problems and on my failings. Thinking about me, myself and I.

felt – Oh the feelings, how big they grow. Giant waves of emotion that submerge me with their unhealthy undertow. Feelings based on nothing tangible but the moment.

If I lived life ruled only by feelings? I would never escape the cycle of depression.

Depression is a Liar

Depression tells you that you are a failure. That everything is hopeless. That nothing really matters, especially you.

The father of lies is the enemy of your soul. Jesus Himself said of Satan:

When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44 b

But when you have chosen Jesus, you have become a believer in Truth. He is truth.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

A person with Jesus in her heart can fight the lies in the most powerful way – with the truth of who she is in Christ.

Who You Are in Christ

The lies of depression take your eyes off God and laser-focus them on yourself and your situation. Feelings of failure and hopelessness blind you to truth – the truth of who God sees when He looks at you.

When you accept Jesus Christ as Lord of your life, you become a new creation! (2 Corinthians 5:17) God’s Word is replete with descriptions of who you are in Christ.

Here are just a few verses that describe the spiritual truth of your identity in Christ:

You are a child of God. John 1:12
You have peace with God through Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1
You are free from condemnation. Romans 8:1
Nothing can separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus! Romans 8:38-39
Your sins have been forgiven. Ephesians 1:7
Once you were darkness, but now you are light in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 5:8

Understanding the truth about who you are now that you have been rescued from the dominion of darkness (Colossians 1:13) will transform your worldview (Romans 12:2.)

Print out this extensive list of more than 100 verses that show your true identity in Christ and keep it where you can read it every day. Spend time studying each Scripture, praying that God would reveal His truth to you.

There are no caveats to these truths. The Word does not say “You are a child of God… as long as you are perfect,” or “You have peace with God… on the days you are feeling peaceful.”

Don’t let your emotions alter the truth.

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17

You Are Not in Control

Life is a hard road that sometimes veers through the terrain of depression, grief, and suffering. You can’t control this. It is part of living in a broken world on this side of heaven.

Taking the time to understand who you are in Christ does not place the responsibility for healing from depression on your shoulders. Yes, read the truth! Steep yourself in the Word. Speak Scripture aloud, read it daily, play it instead of music. But beware of subtly shifting the focus back to the wrong place – you and your own efforts.

When depression is profound, you can not be the primary agent in your healing. Jesus Himself is your healer.

Understanding your identity in Christ will help you keep your eyes pointing in the right direction – toward Jesus and truth – and open the way to healing.

Depression lies. Fight the lies with the truth of who you are in Christ Jesus. #DepressionTruths

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God comforts the depressed (2 Cor 7:6 nasb) #DepressionTruths

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Depression: Why Community Matters

October 23, 2015 by Caroline 3 Comments

Depression affects all of us.

It doesn’t matter if you personally aren’t diagnosed with clinical depression. It doesn’t matter if you personally don’t suffer from anxiety or other mental conditions. It doesn’t even matter if you don’t have someone in your immediately family with depression.

Depression still affects all of us.

Why?

Because we were made to live in community.

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” – Ephesians 4:2-6 (NIV)

We were made to support and wear each other’s burdens.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ … Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” – Galatians 6:2, 9-10 (NIV)

And what happens with one part of the community affects the rest of it.

“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ … If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” – 1 Corinthians 12:12, 26 (NIV)

What Community Does

I’m going to echo what Ali said at the beginning of this month: “As Christians, we should know that depression is not a result of lacking faith.”

For many who suffer from any sort of mental or emotional challenge/disability, I think it’s easy to feel that one has to hide it or can’t go to someone for help because of fear of being a burden, fear of judgment, exclusion.

But community doesn’t exclude.

Community welcomes. Community celebrates. Community guides. Community holds with comforting arms and helping hands.

We as a Christ-following community can do as Christ exemplified and wrap our arms around the hurting among us and say, You are seen. You are heard. We are here, together.

Why We Need Community

I’ve been a big fan of To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA) for a few years now. Last year, for National Suicide Prevention Week, they launched a campaign called “No One Else Can Play Your Part.” I’ve been wearing the bracelet nearly every day since.

Today is #WorldSuicidePreventionDay. I love supporting @twloha — an awesome organization giving everyone hope — today and throughout the year. While I couldn’t purchase the #Tomorrow15 pack this year, I did wear my #NoOneElse14 shirt and bracelet today. I’ve worn this bracelet nearly every day since September 2014 and plan to continue doing so. Because, depression or not, anxiety or not, we ALL need to remember that No One Else Can Play Your Part. God created each of us uniquely and loves us wholly so we can spread that love and that hope in so many amazing ways. There’s always hope. If you ever need support, check out TWLOHA and *ask* someone for help. We’re made for community, and *you* matter. #WellSeeYouTomorrow

A photo posted by Caroline (@carolineugmh) on Sep 10, 2015 at 4:35pm PDT

We each have a part.

A quiet part. A loud part. A leadership part. A behind-the-scenes part. A comforting part. A get-the-project-done part. All are valuable parts. And God created you (you!) to be your part.

Community helps us remember all of this.

I’m still trying to figure out community. How different communities work. How each part fits. How all of that naturally (and sometimes unnaturally) changes as people, events, and needs change.

But the important truth to remember when we’re not sure if we should seek community is that we each have a part in a community. That shows our necessity. We are needed.

But community also reminds us that other parts exist too, and we all exist to work together for our common goal. We are here to help each other succeed in sharing God’s Word and God’s love. It’s okay to ask for help. (Which doesn’t make asking for help easy, and we still have to ask for help with discernment. But we can ask.)

We’re here to care for each other and fight for each other. Because we love and are loved.

“But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.” – 1 Corinthians 12:18-20 (NIV)

Within the post above are multiple links to blog posts from the TWLOHA site. Read those posts. Share those posts. Share the verses shared in this post and more. Share hope and love, and please ask for help.