For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit…But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Romans 8:5, 9 NRSV.

For God so loved the world that He gave…John 3:16.

In our smaller than normal Friday Zoom Retreat we shared about Community and “to express and reflect the self-donating love of the Trinity by investing in and journeying with others”. We shared how community has helped us and that it need not be just in church which can be a place of loneliness. Think of how Jesus, the Son, Creator God, lived in His time here with others sharing joy and community that the strict religious leaders could not understand. What about today? Pickleball…painting groups…golfing…get togethers where joy can be found and shared and where community sustains us who were created in the image of our loving Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit…Family! Especially in these times of so much fracturing of groups of people, rejoice that God loves and gives. And in our chapter, 2 John, a short letter by the Apostle John written around the time of the first and third letters by John. In the notes it said it was addressed to the “chosen lady and her children”, which could refer to a specific person or maybe to the church. The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth, for the sake of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever: Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received commandment to do from the Father. Now I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it. For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds. Though I have many things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that your joy may be made full. The children of your chosen sister greet you.

As I typed this I couldn’t help but think about John, the very last of the disciples who walked with Jesus and how any letter from him at this point decades removed from the time of Jesus’ ascension back to the Father would have been received with joy. And our time today is not that much different. The commandment is to love God and to love one another. Look at all today in our world that is not grounded in love and the joy love brings. When the heavy trials of this world threaten to overwhelm me, it is such a relief to know who to turn to. My own walk of faith has led me to know this love of God that is healing and that will bring healing to every hurt experienced by all of us. The Community of the Love of God shared in as many ways as there are people with excitement for all that is possible. God is Love. God is Joy. God is Fullness of Life! As we meet with friends, coworkers, family, groups with shared interest, we find community and possibility and growth. We find hope. Jesus showed us that God is not restrictive and limiting. That would be the deceiver. What community excites you? Tech people? Pickleball? Chess? Cooking? Small group Bible study? Foodies? Wine lovers? How about groups of people, strangers, meeting to eat together and talk about the issues of our day without political posturing so they can remember we are all of us people? How about people finding that they learn about God best in small groups with others who are experiencing the same trials and frustrations and past church hurts so they can know they are not alone? How about kids putting down their phones and remembering how good it is to play and talk and be with one another? And a vital small group? You and Creator God walking and learning together. He will help you walk with others because God is Love and our deepest need is love with Him and with one another. For God so loved the world that He gave…can we receive with joy abundant and connect and love and care? Possibility!