Community.

Background:

C.S. Lewis was a part of a famous group of friends, called the Inklings, which included JRR Tolkien and Charles Williams, who died unexpectedly after WWII.

In The Four Loves, C.S. Lewis writes:

"In each of my friends there is something that only some other friend can fully bring out. By myself I am not large enough to call the whole man into activity; I want other lights than my own to show all his facets. Now that Charles [Williams] is dead, I shall never again see Ronald's [Tolkien's] reaction to a specifically Charles joke. Far from having more of Ronald, having him "to myself" now that Charles is away, I have less of Ronald ... In this, Friendship exhibits a glorious 'nearness by resemblance' to heaven itself where the very multitude of the blessed (which no man can number) increases the fruition which each of us has of God. For every soul, seeing Him in her own way, doubtless communicates that unique vision to all the rest. That, says an old author, is why the Seraphim in Isaiah's vision are crying "Holy, Holy, Holy" to one another (Isaiah 6:3). The more we thus share the Heavenly Bread between us, the more we shall have."

To this, Keller writes:

"Lewis is saying that it took a community to know an individual. How much more would this be true of Christ? Christians commonly say they want a relationship with him, that they want to "get to know Jesus better." You will never be able to do that by yourself. You must be deeply involved in the church, in Christian community, with strong relationships of love and accountability. Only if you are part of a community of believers seeking to resemble, serve, and love Jesus will you ever get to know him and grow into his likeness."

My thoughts:

I LOVE this. Community initially drew me to Christ, helped me grow as a new Christian, and has kept me going through tough times. Even now, in the midst of raising support and dealing with all life throws at me, solid friendships centered and founded on Christ are my lifeline.

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. -Psalm 27:17