On a recent Sunday morning during our Fellowship Time, while sipping on coffee and nibbling on a bagel, I was talking with a wonderful young couple. As we approached the time when I needed to head back upstairs, put on my robe, and pray with the choir before worship, they pulled out a cell phone and began showing me photographs from an event the evening before. It was lovely. They looked handsome and beautiful. Smiles were all around. However, they just kept swiping and showing me more and more photos. And I really needed to excuse myself and get ready for the next service, which was now moments away. But I stayed and lingered a few minutes longer. In the difficult world we live in, I always love seeing people’s joy and happiness. Eventually I had to get upstairs, but as I was praying with the choir, I saw them joyfully showing another member of the congregation the same photographs. Later, as I was reflecting on this small moment, it dawned on me that I had witnessed a great example of the blessing of the Christian community. That is, we share our lives with one another. Truly, this is a gift.

Acts 2:42-47 describes a community that is devoted to sharing life together. As they did, we are told that they had glad and generous hearts, and that God added to their blessings. Sharing life together can look like many things. Sometimes it looks like breaking bread, sometimes it looks like sharing resources, sometimes it looks like fellowship and prayer. Other times it can simply look like sharing some photos on your smartphone. I was in a slight hurry, but I am glad I did not brush that moment off and run upstairs. I am thankful that I lingered with them a little longer. So, on this day, and always, may you have the grace to share your life with others, and may you have the grace to let others share theirs with you. For in doing so, your heart may be gladdened and the blessings of community may abound.