Let us make man in our image. 
-Genesis 1:26

Whenever we read the creation story, I think we often focus on the second part of this sentence, we are made in the image of God. The first part, "let us" first tells us a little more about who God is. Before the creation of the world began God dwelled in perfect, loving harmony as a threefold being: Creator, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is community: one God, three persons.

Since we are made in God's image that's why our longing for community seems so deep and primal. It's how we're made. 

I was recently reading an article about brain development and why it's important to connect children with a worshiping community of faith. 

One part of the article really struck me. It said, "Positive feelings are rarely the product of isolation. Many positive emotions (empathy, gratitude, acceptance) actually require others... Communities can experience emotion and feeling together in ways individuals cannot." The article went on to discuss why it's important for children, as their brain is developing, to experience these emotions in community in order for them to know and then understand these emotions.

What are some of the communities that you are a part of? How do your experiences in them help you better understand empathy, gratitude and acceptance?

These types of relationships are at the core of who we are as human beings. I would encourage you to make time to connect with a community this week.

Prayer for Today

Creator God, Thank you for creating in us a longing for community. Guides as we open ourselves up to connecting with others this week. In Christ's Name, Amen.