We Are

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” Matthew22:37

We are what we value,
We value what we care about;
When Jesus is our focus,
Our faith is lived out.


We are better together,
We don't do well alone;
We intentionally reach out to others
With Jesus as our Cornerstone.


We are pursuing
To understand diversity;
We choose courage over comfort
To understand our society.


We are continually learning
To see the world through another's eyes;
Being sincere, respectful, and willing,
Keeps us humble, open, and wise.


We are generous,
When we give in a meaningful way;
Using our time, talents, and money
To transform lives each day.


We are hopeful,
Placing our trust in Him;
Being a witness of hope through our actions,
To a world that looks so grim.


Jesus taught us the values of life,
He stretched towards those in need;
To be salt and light in this world
Is the nature of our creed.

My church just completed a 5 week sermon series called We Are. It focused on our values and how these affect our interaction with others. One point my pastor made was that we are better together. Jesus gave this example when He chose His disciples to be with Him. He knew the importance of community. When we surround ourselves with godly people, we not only learn about them, but we learn about ourselves, too. They challenge us to be better by loving others unconditionally, choosing to reach out to those different than us, and living out our faith. Jesus taught this to His disciples.

In order to love others, we need understand them. Intentionally choose to take that courageous step and get to know someone who is different than you. Give them space to talk and really listen to them. James 1:19-2 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. When we take time to really listen to someone, we are able to understand them better and empathize with them. Having empathy for someone changes our perspective. It doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll agree with them, but it changes our heart towards them.

We can also stretch towards others through our generosity. 2 Corinthians 9:6-9 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” We can give of our time, finances, and talents. Generosity points our love towards others. When we give out of love, it transforms both ourselves and our communities. Everybody wins!

Another key value is where we place our trust. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. What we fix our eyes on is the foundation of our trust. When our trust is based on our faith in God, we bring hope into the world.

Now more than ever, we need to be in community. It’s easy to cocoon and draw inward. But this is not healthy. Reach out to your friends and build each other up. Take steps to understand those with differences of thought, opinion, age, ethnicity, etc. Ask God to show you ways you can be generous with your time, talents and finances. Be the hands and feet of Jesus bringing hope to a world that so desperately needs it.

Lord, thank You for teaching us the value of community.
Help us to live in harmony with one another,
build each other up, and help those in need.
May we live our faith out loud as salt and light to the world.
Amen