I used to think that family was only blood. When I was little, my immediate family was my everything. I think it got to the point that I was reverencing them more than God. My family was what I found comfort in. They gave me worth at times. After a few deaths in my family, my immediate group grew apart a little. We all still love each other, but something was different. I truly believe that God had that happen to my family so I could focus on him more, trusting less in my family and more on Christ. The truth is everyone in my immediate family was not of Christ and that convicted me because Mark 3:35, "Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother." God is teaching me that my real family are believers in Christ.

I have started to see that my church families and people in my college ministry more as family than anyone. It's hard for me to admit, but it is biblical and my whole life is based off what is and is not biblical. We have to understand that the Gospel has compelled us to share with our non-believing family, but the family we will ultimately live with forever is our brother and sister in Christ. My family in Christ is based of of eternal love: we as a people have to understand that community is key. We need to make sure we never take our community for granted.

This is not a piece to tell you to disown your family, but rather a warning to not neglect your family in Christ. Believe it or not, community is one of the most important aspects of our faith, and if we neglect that, then we are neglecting growth.