Belonging Comes First
Thoughtful Thursdays #2
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 Awe came upon everyone because many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. — Acts 2:42-47
I’ve always had a deep affinity for community—and not just because I’m an extrovert.
There’s something about creating and living within community that feels deeply human, almost divine—as if it’s an embedded part of the created order. Yet I often see people trying to take as much as they can from community, sometimes at the expense of others, and even worse, in the name of something meant to be “good news.”
That’s what breaks my heart about where we are as a society right now. Too often, we care more about convincing people to join our side than about building relationships that reflect Christ’s heart. Community has become something we consume, not something we contribute to.
But Acts reminds us that the earliest followers of Jesus didn’t start with conversion campaigns or persuasive arguments. They started with fellowship—deep and authentic community that cared for others. With shared meals, shared prayers, shared life. They didn’t just talk about faith—they lived it together.
And maybe that’s why I love the running community so much.
There’s something sacred that happens on the road. No titles, no pretense—just people showing up as they are. We share miles like we share meals, each step a quiet reminder that we’re not meant to go alone. Conversations that start about training or weather often become moments of honesty, encouragement, and connection. It’s where belonging grows naturally, one stride at a time. Yes, we are aware of times, paces, and abilities, but we don’t allow them to be the defining aspect of our relationship together.
6:00 miles or 15:00 miles? Come run anyway.
Marathoner or someone who never wants to run one? You belong.
Runner or walker? There’s room for you here.
That’s the kind of community Acts points to—a life woven together through ordinary, everyday rhythms.
And that’s where the real transformation happened.
Day by day, as they loved one another, as they broke bread, as they met needs, the Lord added to their number.
Faith was born out of belonging.
That’s what we’re called back to—to a kind of community that doesn’t demand belief before welcome, or perfection before participation. The kind of community where grace shows up around a dinner table, on a front porch, or along a stretch of pavement.
So maybe the question for us this week isn’t, “Who can I bring to church?”
Maybe it’s, “Who can I invite to dinner?” or “Who can I share a few miles with?”
Because community always comes before conversion.
And when we live that out, we just might find that God still adds to our number—one relationship, one meal, one act of love at a time.
AMEN!!!