Want Lasting Joy? Try Koinonia

Koinonia.  I love that word, which basically means Christian fellowship, or "common unity" also known as "community."  In the New American Standard Bible, it is translated “fellowship” twelve times, “sharing” three times, and “participation” and “contribution” twice each (NAS Exhaustive Concordance).  Basically, it means hanging out with other people who have the same goal of bringing light into a dark world, and in my opinion, when those people are similar in personality, or complementary (spice to your sweetness, etc.), it is SO refreshing! 


On days when I have planned too much, am really tired, or have been wounded by a fellow believer, I sometimes wonder for a millisecond if I might be an introvert who justs want to hole up with my little family in a corner of the world.  A little of this is great sometimes, totally.  If I do it for too long, something bad usually happens like ruminating, or selfish and otherwise boring or anxiety provoking thoughts, to quickly remind me that I am extroverted, in the sense that I derive strength from time spent with others in this world, that I need to share my gifts with others, and to enjoy others' as well.  In other words, it simply means I am ready for koinonia again.  


Koinonia brings joy to me.  I'm not talking about sitting near someone without speaking or talking about merely surface level topics, but in engaging with others and being "real," relating with others on the journey of our shared faith.  I am totally over pretense and totally into authenticity.  I really see that the Lord made me to be nurtured, challenged and loved by others in this world.  I also am called to nurture, challenge and love others.  Engaging others is part of our divine call, and the sooner we realize we need others to help grow us and that they need us to do likewise, the sooner our lives will be fulfilling.  Only when we have true koinonia in our lives do we really have good balance.  Only then are we purposeful, united, and reapers of true wealth, which far surpasses the lonely, Howard-Hughes-ish lonely life at the "top."  Let's also remember that although FB has its awesome connective ways of drawing us into koinonia, it does not and cannot replace face to face, real community.  Instead of perusing it for hours in a day, or scanning to see if a comment was enjoyed by others, our time is better spent writing a personal fb message to begin true face to face koinonia, or an encouraging one to a faraway friend who could use koinonia but might not have much.  It brings so much more lasting satisfaction.


Koinonia is not essential for a longer quantity of life necessarily, but ensures higher quality.  When you engage with others, you risk hurts, germs, and a host of other annoying things like sin and strife.  We all contribute to this imperfect cycle of spreading bad vibes, at least once in awhile.  However annoying that is to contend with, the benefits of koinonia far outweigh the costs.  One striking example of the importance of koinonia is in the recorded life of Corrie Ten Boom, who was persecuted for hiding Jews in WWII.  She received torture in concentration camps because of doing what was right in a time when her country's leaders made it illegal to do so.  In her book, The Hiding Place, she credits God's provision for koinonia as getting her through the camps, such as during lice-infested Bible study meetings, and singing and prayering with others in secret.  After being released, she didn't hole up and decide she'd made the wrong choice.  Instead, she went on to continue doing the right thing, shared the gospel of Christ with thousands, and loved others in the world, despite the risks of being hurt again (and yes, I am sure she sinned along the way, also).  She saw tons of miracles, had true adventure, and real joy in her life.  Fellowship with other believers cannot be sacrificed, pushed aside, or ignored, if you want that same joy and purpose.  It is a life-giving command from our loving Father, a gift for those who will receive it. 


Thus, even if you are uncomfortable with getting to know others on a deeper level, I encourage you to risk it.  If you get hurt again by another believer (you will, at some point), sit with it, acknowledge your own part in it if there is one, and allow the whole experience to draw you closer to God, who never fails us.  Then try again, using the wisdom you gained from the hurt, and see that God brings healing and joy.  Let's be purposeful today with our spare moments, give freely with open arms, and stay connected to others who share our passion to share God's light with the world.  It's totally worth it.