Our yard currently is covered with 3 inches of ice over 4 inches of snow. The temperature has been frigid for the past week. The landscape looks beautiful but it is very treacherous to walk on the ice. The yard looks like an inhospitable wasteland, but looks can be deceiving.

Underneath a large community thrives – safe and secure. Many of the animals that live in our area have burrowed deep into the soil. The soil acts as a natural insulator and God has given His creatures the wisdom to know the depth they need to burrow. The toads and garter snakes will dig to about 30 inches. The toads will remain motionless until the ground thaws and the garter snakes gather together in “hibernacula” using their shared body warmth to keep from freezing.

Sometimes our soul might feel like this frigid, frozen wasteland. We might just want to give up or stay holed up in our home. 

Perhaps we should take a lesson from the ignoble garter snake. They often borrow an abandoned rodent burrow and gather in community with other garter snakes. Without this shared community, the snakes would perish.

Perhaps we can learn from them.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 instructs us to “encourage one another and build one another up.” When we gather in community we have the opportunity to encourage, instruct, correct and love one another. This is how we mature in the Lord. Iron sharpening iron.

The Lord did not create us to be isolated achievers. We need to be part of a community of believers which often meet in someone’s home.

So if you are feeling secluded by an impenetrable barrier, look beneath the surface at the life that is available to you with a community of believers. As believers, we can bring out the best in each other if we allow the Lord to direct our steps. 

We were created in the image of God. (Genesis 1:27) We were created to fulfill a purpose. “For we are God’s handiwork (workmanship – poiema), created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10) 

The Greek word poiema implies that we are a creative masterpiece. We are not an accident or a hodgepodge of cells. Each of us is a reflection of our Creator’s unfathomable love and skill. 

Will you be willing to become part of a local community of believers and see what the Lord will do?

Marianne