How to use your individualism to build community

By Robin Keating

When God made us in His image He made us as unique individuals, but for the purpose of bringing Him glory with our individual strengths and weaknesses. We were never intended to look at our individualism through a self-serving lens. The pride that enters our hearts when we take our unique strengths to receive our own glory is a distortion of God’s purpose in our lives. The same is true for our individual weaknesses. Both were intended to bring us closer together in communion with God and one another.

So how can we turn our God given individualism to its rightful place? When it is turned inward, our individualism breaks down God’s intention for community. By recognizing that our unique strengths and weaknesses were intentionally given by God for His glory and others’ benefit, we can begin to return individualism to its intended purpose.

Think about how your unique strengths can bless and serve your neighbors to the glory of God. How can your weaknesses bring glory to God as well? If we think of being interdependent with our neighbors, we will begin to see God’s plan for our individualism unfold.

Here are some practical ways to use your individualism to build community and bring glory to God.

• Blowing leaves – For example, a neighbor notices the single mom across the street and the elderly neighbor next door have leaves that need to be gathered. Instead of only blowing the leaves for his own yard, he blows the leaves of his neighbors as well.
• Baking pies or cookies – Instead of baking for yourself only, make a second batch of cookies or pies to take over to a neighbor. If you don’t know your neighbors, it’s the perfect time to introduce yourself with something to offer them to break the ice.
• Check in with elderly neighbors – Be the assertive neighbor that makes sure elderly neighbors have heating in their homes, access to proper food and a safe pathway outside of their home, free from ice or snow.
• Invite neighbors and friends from church to share a meal together – You provide the main course and each guest brings a side dish or dessert.

Can you think of other ways? Comment below!