Flying back from the Dominican Republic recently I was reading a short but interesting book called The Longevity Book, by Kale Brock. In it he speaks of the four pillars of longevity and wellness: nutrition, community, movement, and attitude. It was a great read for the plane ride yet what I couldn’t stop thinking about was the importance of community that he spoke of and especially its impact in a time like now in 2020.

With pandemic messages and statistics throughout the media, and much fear and anxiety throughout the world, I thought, “Lord Jesus, this is a time, not only when we need You, but we need each other more!” There are ways to “gather” as a community — perhaps through internet, phones, social distancing or somehow — but we desperately need to stay connected to one another. If we don’t, the results are tragic. A friend of mine told me her friend’s daughter has been biting her lips raw because of anxiety. Those who are binge-watching TV are gaining weight. People are stressed and worried! Meanwhile, our health and happiness are being damaged by the lack of community!

I reflect back on our Dominican Republic trip, where, at the church,everyone wore masks yet still fisted or elbow pumped one another. We sang our hearts out together, praised the Lord, and danced and rejoiced in God’s goodness. Sanitary rules were followed the whole time and our lives were enriched through fellowship. We communed with one another. It was sweet.

After this wonderful church service we had the joy of hanging out with one of the pastors and his wife at their home. We nibbled on chicharron and drank freshly made papaya and guanabana shakes as we sat in their patio telling stories, laughing, and simply enjoying the rain falling onto the metal roof. What a refreshing time it was! And all because of community. 

I’m truly thankful for our Dominican friends and the community of Christian brothers and sisters, and my goal is to somehow continue this same semblance of fellowship here in the States, especially in these trying times. 

Dear reader, our lives truly depend on community and I believe these verses in Ecclesiastes say it well: 

Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. (Ecc.4:9,10)

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By Cyndi