By Carla Long, member of the Presiding Bishopric
“Community of Christ,” your name, given as a divine blessing, is your identity and calling. If you will discern and embrace its full meaning, you will not only discover your future, you will become a blessing to the whole creation.
I remember following my toddler at the park years ago, hovering just far enough away to let him explore his independence, but close enough to catch him if he stumbled. Suddenly, he paused, looked me in the eye, and said with profound clarity, “Mommy, be with me when I want you.”
I went to him immediately, happy to be called. His words, however, lingered in my heart. At first, I wondered if this was how we often treat God—keeping the Divine at a distance until we face a challenge, only then beckoning the Creator to step in and “be with us.”
But as I reflect on our journey in Community of Christ, I see a deeper invitation in my son’s request. We often think of God’s presence as a personal comfort, yet we are called to remember that our identity as one community comes before our individual possessions or desires. When we invite God to “be with us,” we are not just asking for a private companion; we are being called into a relationship of equality, solidarity, and shared responsibility. This is a much bigger ask than just using God as a warm blanket for us to curl up in. When we ask God to be with us, the call is to truly see others in the way that God sees them.
In Christ, we discover that God is already there, yearning for us to move from “me” to “we.” By recognizing that God is always with us, we find the courage to seek the welfare of others, knowing that our own well-being is found within the flourishing of the whole community.
Prayer Phrase
“Do good…share what you have” (Hebrews 13:16).
Enough to Share
Take a moment to notice what you are holding onto—perhaps a worry, a resource, or a desire for more. Take a breath and release it. Ask yourself, “Where am I being invited to trust that there is enough?” Think of one way you can share what you have today—your time, your gifts, your attention, or your resources. As you breathe in, say, “There is enough.” As you breathe out, “If I share.” Pray, “May my trust become generosity, and may my generosity create abundance for the welfare of all.”
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.