Community: More Than Just Content
Insights from The Weekly REBOOT
By: Jenny Owens
At REBOOT, we often say that people come to us for the content but stay for the community. This isn't just a catchy phrase; it's a truth rooted in years of experience. Evan and I used to joke that we could spend an hour each week discussing underwater basket weaving, and as long as we did it in a loving, trusting community, people would still find healing.
After graduation, it's the community that keeps driving us forward in our healing journey. That’s why we believe these weekly sessions should be shared collectively. When we come together, the impact of what we share multiplies.
The Big Deal About Community
You might ask, “Why is community so important for overcoming trauma?” We want every REBOOT graduate, every member of our global family, to grasp the insurmountable power of Christian brothers and sisters gathered together in community. It's more than a shared meal or friendly banter; it’s an expression of the character of God Himself.
A Childhood Story: The Chalk Circle
Let me share a story that deeply impacted my childhood. "A Little Princess," a film from 1995, introduces us to Sarah Crew, the daughter of a wealthy British army officer sent to boarding school. When her father dies in World War I, Sarah’s life turns upside down. She goes from luxury to being a penniless servant, confined to a dark attic.
In a poignant scene, Sarah draws a clumsy circle around herself on the attic floor and cries out in loneliness and grief. This scene symbolizes the isolation that often accompanies grief—a feeling many of us know all too well.
The Lonely Nature of Grief
Grief feels incredibly isolating. Susan Fletcher once wrote, "Grief is such a lonely thing. There is no one in it with you. Others may grieve for the same soul, but they do not grieve exactly for what you also grieve." Each loss is unique, and so too is each person's journey through it. We often withdraw, create metaphorical chalk circles to protect ourselves, and keep the world at bay.
Breaking Down the Chalk Circle
REBOOT teaches us that grief isn't solely about losing loved ones. It can be the loss of identity, hope, a group, or a particular future. Our natural response is to protect ourselves by withdrawing. But lasting healing happens when we invite others into our circle. When you can’t bear the burden alone, share it.
Trust and Vulnerability
Sharing our burdens isn’t just a good idea; it’s a biblical instruction. Galatians 6:2 tells us to "carry one another's burdens," fulfilling the law of Christ. This requires trust and vulnerability, traits that don’t come easily to those of us who feel safe within our solitary chalk circles.
Bearing Burdens: A Real-Life Example
When my friend experienced a late-term stillbirth, her grief was overwhelming. I didn’t have the right words, but I showed up, offered a meal, and sat with her. In those moments, sharing her burden was about presence, not solutions. When we step out of our comfort zones to bear others' burdens, we testify to the love and compassion of Christ.
Drawing a Bigger Circle
We all know someone who has faced immense loss but found joy and purpose again. Their secret? Faith in a God who transforms ashes into beauty and a community willing to bear their burdens. This invested, self-sacrificial love is the bedrock of true community.
Christian Community: A Supernatural Force of Healing
Christian community is a supernatural force of healing. Jesus, even in His darkest hour, ensured His mother was cared for by building a bridge to a supportive community (John 19:26-27). He modeled for us a love that looks outward, even in moments of deep personal grief.
If you've drifted from your supportive relationships or experienced new wounds driving you into isolation, it's time to redraw your chalk circle. Reach out to your community and ask for support. Or, if you notice someone drifting, check on them. Your investment in another person can have an eternal impact.
