Living in Community // Part One

Oh, my days! I love living in community! It’s only been one week so there haven’t been any major upsets yet, but I honestly can’t think of any cons that can outweigh the many pros I have experienced this week.

I started writing my second blog post at the end of first week. It was going to be all about Barton – my placement church and the incredible community that place is, but the post didn’t sit well with me: instead He brought the No.9 community to heart. I want all communities from now on (that I am a part of) to embody something of what this house holds. Whether that be a Church or a neighbourhood or my university accommodation next year.

There is just something special about sharing every aspect of your life with 6 other people. 6 people who a week ago I never knew, yet now seem to each hold a part of me.

We share rooms, we share meals, we share finances, we share cleaning responsibilities, but most of all we share life. And oh man, it is already one of my greatest privileges: to play such a major role in other people’s lives. I pray that I can love Jesus the way these people do. I pray that we can love Jesus together. I pray that we can build each other up when the world seems to tear us down.

I’m writing this after we finished house prayer five minutes ago. I’ve always worried that whoever I lived with in the future – especially a husband – would not want to pray with me or share the ups and downs of life in a vulnerable way, but these 6 people have already proven that others want this too. They have the same passion for Him, scripture, His kingdom, for prayer, for His Church and this nation. These are 6 people from different walks of life and with totally different personalities but with one common purpose – to make him known.

And when I say different personalities, I mean different personalities. On the first day I found that nearly everyone else is introverted – I’m an extrovert. Most of the others are last minute people – I have my Christmas presents already sorted. I hate reading, my roommate studied linguistics. It sounds like a recipe for disaster, but it’s not in reality, because we’re continually praying that number 9 will be a place where you can feel his presence in a tangible way. We’re praying that those who come on open house night will know that this house, this community, is one which seeks him, loves him, reads scripture, prays as one united front.

And so, Jesus, we’re praying for a move of your spirit in this house. We’re thanking you for your sons and daughters who have been brought together. But most of all we’re thanking you for unity – that you conquered the grave so that we may live as one body in Jesus’ name.

Note: This is part one since I know for a fact there will be many more thoughts on this topic over the next year.

No. 9

P.S. I still love the spice girls.

Editing Credits // L.Wren