This Little Light of Mine

Daily writing prompt

What do you do to be involved in the community?

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It’s an interesting question. It makes me wonder how we define the community. I asked Microsoft Copilot. Here is what it said:

At its core, community refers to a group of people who share something in common—whether it’s a place, an interest, a culture, or even a purpose. It could be as broad as the global online community or as intimate as a tight-knit neighborhood.
Communities foster connection, belonging, and support. They can be built around shared values, traditions, or simply mutual care. Some communities are physical, like towns or workplaces, while others exist virtually, like social media groups or online gaming circles. No matter the form, the sense of community can be a powerful force in shaping identity and providing companionship.

So, outside my family and work, my main involvement in community is my church. I’ve had various levels of involvement over my life, but even just attending a service and having a quick coffee and chat makes a big difference.

I do like what Copilot says about online communities. Even before the web, I always found that listening to live radio or watching live TV gave me that sense of community. And nowadays, I get that from social media. I don’t generally post, but even viewing something or giving something a like makes me feel part of a community. I would classify myself as an introvert, but I do cherish communities and the opportunities they provide for connecting. And from a Christian perspective, I am always very supportive of Christians who get involved in the wider community. It can be very tempting to shun society and form inward-looking communities. Some of the early Christians tended to want to go away and live in seclusion. Perhaps they felt that it would lead to greater holiness and reduce the chances of being contaminated or corrupted. But Jesus said:

Matt 5:13:16
¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Some unbelievers might think it pompous or insulting for Christians to see themselves as the light of the world. In some respects, Christians have been a great influence, but in other cases the salt lost its saltiness. Where Christians drift from the standards outlined in Scriptures, they can end up doing more harm than good. And non-Christians can be capable of wonderful things and being lights in the world too. Jesus isn’t wanting us to be pompous or self-righteous. He is urging us to strive to love God and love others and to participate in society rather than shun society.