A few years ago, when traveling in another nation, I was taking in the scenery as we drove to the rural villages to share in ministry with our congregations.
When we entered the rural terrain, I noticed people—children and adults—sitting along the road. I was captivated by the variety of lives, and at the same time, perplexed about why they sat along the road.
In trying to understand what those children and adults were experiencing, there was a moment as though time slowed. I was able to look into their faces and eyes as I passed. I saw and felt the emptiness of life within them. My heart began to ache.
As I struggled to make sense of what I was seeing and feeling, these words flooded my mind and awareness: “In each of these lives is the potential to make the world a better place for all.”
I could not help but wonder if what they saw while sitting by the road was the only possible glimpse of hope that something different might happen that day to free them from poverty.
As I struggled to make sense of what I was seeing and feeling, these words flooded my mind and awareness: “In each of these lives is the potential to make the world a better place for all.”
Over the next couple of days, I wrestled with that experience as we shared with those rural congregations. Being with members of the church in their culture made Blessings of Community, an Enduring Principle, real and tangible. Love and joy were the gifts experienced in those communities as they shared their lives and cared for the well-being of one another.
As I basked in these deep Blessings of Community, while still pondering the roadside images and the words that flooded my mind, I sensed what was missing—the Blessings of Community where life can be nurtured and become what God created. Without the loving presence of a community, the potential in each person along the road sat dormant, and the world was not able to receive what those lives could offer.
As I hold the church in my prayers, I periodically reflect on this experience. In those moments, as I think about the difficult issues in the world, I wonder what potential still is waiting to be released from our lives as the collective church in the world we share.
Doctrine and Covenants 164:9a reminds us there is potential within the community of faith waiting to be who God has called us to be in the world:
Beloved children of the Restoration, your continuing faith adventure with God has been divinely led, eventful, challenging, and sometimes surprising to you. By the grace of God, you are poised to fulfill God’s ultimate vision for the church.
God is still waiting!
A lot of human brokenness and division exist in the world today. Lives sit along the road, and others live behind a facade that all is well, yet suffer in emptiness. I know you see it, too.
I realize we might have different opinions on how to best address those needs and issues in our different nations. But my prayer continues to be that we will feel—deeply—the call to truly be Community of Christ, embracing the conviction and dedication to be a living expression of the Blessings of Community wherever we are. When loving community is present, healing and human wholeness become possible.
This continues to be my prayer. I hope you will join me in it.
