Acts 2 Community

(Katie) I love the picture of community described in Acts 2: "They shared their possession with those in need. They worshipped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity, all while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people" (vs. 45-47). 

This week, James and I have learned to radically receive from Acts 2 Community. On Monday, I was frantically trying to finish two final papers and I hadn't taken a break to eat. My phone rang and it was Edible Arrangements saying that they had a fruit arrangement to deliver. Fruit is a love language of mine. In the midst of the stress of finals, my parents loved us in the form of fruit. Tuesday night, a friend initiated making us dinner- grilled chicken, sweet potato fries (another guilty pleasure of mine), broccoli, our favorite kinds of ice cream for dessert AND it was all Gluten Free, which requires a lot of extra creativity and intentionality. Wednesday night, James returned from small group with a beautiful new mirror for our bedroom (pictured above), the gift of a generous friend. We were in need of a new mirror, however, it was more of a want than a need. This mirror is exactly what I would have hand picked and our friend gave it to us for free!

After being the recipients of incredible generosity, James and I desire to be radical givers so that others can also experience great joy. The Acts 2 community is often exalted as ideal but is unfortunately framed as something of the past. That is a lie. Acts 2 community exists today. Radical giving requires radical trust. We choose to trust that God will provide for us as we lavishly give to others. I am grateful that God has surrounded us with a community of people who live this out!