VICTORIES ARE WON WITH COMMUNITY

One of my favorite Old Testament stories is found in the Book of Exodus.  It is a story about a great victory that is won through faithfulness and community.

In Chapter 17 the Israelites are triumphant because of Moses’ faithfulness to God’s leading, as well as God’s faithfulness to His people.  But this epic battle is also won because Moses relies on his community to support and sustain him until the work is finished.

“Joshua did what Moses ordered in order to fight Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of the hill. It turned out that whenever Moses raised his hands, Israel was winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, Amalek was winning. But Moses’ hands got tired. So they got a stone and set it under him. He sat on it and Aaron (his brother) and Hur (his friend) held up his hands, one on each side. So his hands remained steady until the sun went down. Joshua defeated Amalek and its army in battle.” vv 10-13, The Message

An ancient story that I get to witness being played out in my home weekly.

Big and small victories achieved thorough faithfulness and community.

Battles for hope, peace, joy, love, faith, healing, restoration, and purpose.  Mine, my family’s, and the loved ones who gather in my home.  Burdens shared in conversations in my kitchen and around my table.  Support offered through listening, laughter, hugs, prayers, and tears.  Help given in an endless list of practical ways.

Holding up each others arms when we are tired.  Standing beside one another until victories are won.

This is the beauty of hospitality and the purpose of community.  Not to impress one another, but to create spaces where we can truly be with each other.  Investing in authentic relationships by being vulnerable and real.  Holding each other up as we accomplish the work assigned to us so that we can claim victories that can never be achieved alone.