Community (Part 2)

Are you ever in that sort of mood where you let your music alogrithm run wild? Last night that was me, and I found myself listening to "Piano Man" by Billy Joel. I recognized the melody, but until last night, I had never really listened to the words. It describes a gloomy scene in a smoky neighborhood bar. The odd mix of people there were trying to forget their troubles and also their dreams. One line caught my attention:

"Yes, they're sharing a drink they call loneliness

But it's better than drinkin' alone"

How true. We are lonely -- sometimes we almost want to be lonely -- but we don't want to be lonely alone.

Here's another picture of community. When I took these pics I was almost as miserable as a person can be. We had just run 9 miles in the snow and sleet. Soaked in a combination of sweat and rain, exhausted and sore, my fingers and toes were nearly numb from the cold -- yet I was having a blast. What gives? It is community. These dear souls have been through a lot with me, several thousands of miles actually, over the last four years. The lively company, the matchless beauty, and the prospect of an imminent finish line had us all smiling -- even laughing at the misery.

This is the community I have found in Brooklyn, and the sort of community God intends for all of us. This old song says it well.

We’re not home yet, children

So keep your eyes on the Savior

Just a few more days to labor

Then we’ll sit down beside the river.

How we long to be with Jesus

And our loved ones gone before us

There’s a better day a comin’

We’re not home yet!