Forging Christ-Centered Community “Forging is the manufacturing process where metal is pressed, pounded or squeezed under great pressure into high strength parts known as forgings. The process is normally (but not always) performed hot by preheating the metal to a desired temperature before it is worked….The forging process can create parts that are stronger than those manufactured by any other metalworking process.” (Forging.org)
Just reading the natural process of forging metal and considering the spiritual application, well, it’s just makes me squirm! Truth be told, I think we would all say that we look for shortcuts that will allow us to avoid suffering or other uncomfortable situations. But can we truly become an authentic Christ-centered community if we dodge the hard stuff? Now that I have made you a bit uncomfortable, why don’t we dig a little deeper into what a Christ-centered community might take?
Hebrews 10:24-25 is the classic verse to encourage us to “not forsake assembling together,” as a community of Believers. It also tells us to consider how we can “stimulate one another in love and good deeds,” (NASB). Did you know, that the word, stimulate comes from the Greek (paroxysmos) which is can mean “provoke,” “irritate,” “exasperate,” or “stir-up.” (cslewisinstitute.org) Now, we’re messing, huh?!
Folks, if we are going to be “FAITHFUL IN ’15,” we have to embrace relationships in our Christ-centered communities. Marriage and family life presents plenty of opportunities for our character to be, “pressed, pounded or squeezed,” right? What about church life? Do you seek to engage or avoid the “heat” of forging new relationships within our body?
Basil, an early church father said, “When we live our lives in isolation, what we have is unavailable and what we lack is unprocurable,” (cslewisinstitute). Community is part of God’s plan for our spiritual growth.
Forging is a process that takes time just as relationships take time to develop. The heat might need to be applied more than once to remove the impurities from the metal. Are you willing to go beyond the weekly “hello” and get in the messy business of stimulating your fellow Christians? Do you think God delights in giving us ways to express sacrificial love to one another as a means of developing our marriage, our families, and our church? I look forward to hearing what God shows you about how we can cultivate a community that reflects God’s glory.~
