Every week on Sunday we will be posting a new set of reflection questions based on themes and areas of our lives that are important to look at on a deeper level. We hope this is a chance to take some time to look inward, to process, to ask intentional questions about your life and bring those reflections to God, asking him to show us what is going well and what might need to change.
The second area of life we are going to reflect on is community.
Why Community: We do not live in isolation. We live in a world surrounded by other human beings, most are strangers, some are friends. The people we choose to spend our time with and our energy thinking about have major effects on us and how we encounter the world. It is good, therefore, to take time to reflect on these communities we have built. To get curious about how they affect us. To get intentional about who we surround ourselves with on a regular basis.
Reflection: Here are some reflection questions to help you work through this topic. Feel free to answer all of them or just some, and if you’re not sure of the answer, try journaling about why you’re not sure of it…it may just help you figure it out! If you’re an extrovert or a verbal processor, try going through these questions with a friend!
- Who do I spend most of my time with? Does spending time with this person/these people fill me? Edify me? Agitate me? Draw me closer to or further from God?
- What do I tend to do with other people? Why?
- Is there something I wish I did with others that I could start doing or do more of?
- Is there something I do with others that I need a break from – it takes up too much time/energy/doesn’t bring me closer to the “good life” God wants for me?
Pray with me: Lord, you have created this world full of people. Show me the ones you have called into my life for a purpose and show me those that I may need to take some space from for a time. You have given us the gift of community, of togetherness. Please inspire me as to what this can look life in this life you have given me. Amen.
Bonus: If you make it through the thematic list of journaling prompts this week and would like some more general ones to guide you, try some of these:
- Am I noticing any changes in myself or my spiritual life as I journey through Lent?
- What has been heavy on my heart or mind today?
- How do I feel today? What am I worried about or excited for?
- How do I need God to show up for me today? Is there anything I need to ask him for?
- How have I seen God show up for me in the past? What has he already done or been doing in my life?
- What am I grateful for today?