Community

In “The Second Mountain,” David Brooks’ introduction describes how American culture has become hyper-individualized. For over 50 years, we have focused on the mountain of individual success. The result has been a drastic loss in community, identity, and service. People bury their faces in their screens. Robert Putnam’s book, “Bowling Alone,” describes how people are still bowling, but not in leagues. We are not with others like we used to be. Civic clubs and faith communities show declines in participation. Brooks quotes from a book called “Lost Connections,” how mental health challenges are “. . . at least as much about problems in life – protracted loneliness, loss of meaningful work, feeling pressured and stressed in the absence of community—as they are about one’s neurochemistry. Protracted loneliness causes you to shut down socially, and to be more suspicious of any social contact . . . You become hypervigilant. You start to be more likely to take offense where none was intended and to be afraid of strangers. You start to be afraid of the very thing you need most” (p.269). Brooks adds this line: “This sounds like a pretty good summary of American politics today . . .” I think loneliness is the biggest problem Americans are facing. The first time “not good” is found in the Bible regards being alone (Genesis 2:18). We do not have to be married to find a community. I think the church, even with all our faults, is still the best place to find community. I love Ananias’ courage as he prayed for the healing of Saul. Our readings this week show the moral joy of the early church.

- Pastor Tom Harrison