the unity of community

It's been a long past few days...capped off by cancer surgery today for my wife, Liz. We had a 5:30 am appointment at our local hospital, so of course we awoke several times last night, just to make sure we didn't sleep through the alarm. And (of course!) Liz was downstairs and ready to go by 5:00- she just wanted to make sure she was gonna be on time for her big day!

Everything went according to plan today: easy, efficient and compassionate check-in and prep; surgery on schedule and a confident doctor (that's a real good quality!); encouraging post-operative report and prognosis for the days ahead. We all breathed a huge sigh of relief today, as everything seemed to dovetail together in a positive way.

But Liz and I both believe there was a huge contributing factor to all the good of the day: we were surrounded by the prayers and presence of brothers and sisters who took it upon themselves to intercede on our behalf, to stand in the gap for us, to be there for us and offer their assistance, to pray for God's healing, strength and peace over our lives.

As news went out of Liz's condition through word of mouth, Facebook, texts, etc., people began to contact us to find out more and tell us that they were praying for us. Many at church connected with us yesterday, and last night and today there were so, so many Facebook notes that indicated our family in Christ was standing firm with us. Some were fasting and praying for Liz, others offered post-op meals (and other help), still others let us know that they would be present today during surgery. And they were. Friends rose from throughout the country and (literally) the world to encourage us.

Needless to say, we're overwhelmed with such a response. As I posted on Facebook, I think Liz and I are accustomed to being providers of care and love to others in times of need, and we forget what it's like to be on the other side of the issue. We're humbled to the point of tears, and thankful for friends and family who understand the place and strength of relationships. Which brings me to the crux of things as I write tonight: this kind of love and concern is what the church is supposed to be about.

We're designed in Christ to be closely connected. Consider some pictures of the Church in Scripture- we're likened to a family, a body, a building. Such images depict an interlocking oneness, a relational intimacy, a one-for-all and all-for-one attitude. Because church

is not somewhere we go, but something we are. It's not an organization but an organism. Not a location, but a people.

And it's this relational aspect that brings and binds us together as one. We're designed to be so interwoven that the Apostle Paul could say that "if one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." (1 Corinthians 12:26) Our joys and trials are not supposed to be experienced alone, but rather in conjunction with each other. We're designed to do life together, standing with each other, strengthening each other, struggling and laughing with each other.

These last few days, Liz and I have sensed this kind of relationship. Our brothers and sisters really are there for us- neighbors, co-workers, teammates, friends from high school and from last month. People with whom we share daily, and those we've not heard from in a long time. Family from throughout the US, from Canada, Mexico, Bolivia, India, Kenya, the Philippines, Australia, Korea, and a few more wonderful places. We're blessed beyond measure, and know that our part now is to pay this love forward to others who will need it like we have.

Thank you, family, for being there for us. We still have some rough patches ahead, but we're confident we'll get through them by God's grace...and your partnership. Keep sharing, praying, connecting and loving like you have- with those like us who are going through life's trials.

Because that's what you're designed to do.