What Satan Taught Me About Community

Do you know the power of community?

Satan himself reminded me of it.

My family was traveling and we made a pit stop in Georgia. (Which is one reason I know it was Satan--thanks for the tip, Charlie Daniels.) The family dog needed to get out and so I took her for a walk.

As she was doing her business, all the sudden I felt a sensation like no other on my feet. I looked down and found myself under attack. About 30 tiny fire ants, waged war on my feet and ankles. The venom they behind instantly felt as if the flames of Hades were on them (hence the name fire ants).

I danced like never before, before God and the fine establishment of Valero Gas. My arms and hands flailed down, smacking the fire ants off as my knees and feet went up to my chest.

The tiny spawns of Satan left evidence of their victory all over my ankles.

For a few days, their victory was minimal marked by little spots--like chicken pox. But a few days later, a good friend who had been with us said, "Man, I think they're getting worse." He was right.

Each spot had started to swell into what looked like hives. Later that night, from across the garage my wife shouted, "Oh my gosh, Joel--your legs!" In a matter of hours, the hives had all erupted into blisters like we'd never seen before. Seriously, just looking at them made me gag. (If you would like to see pictures, let me know. Otherwise, by the grace of God, I will spare you.)

For the last five days, I have been miserable.

The attack was so severe it landed me in urgent care. I was put on two steroids and an antibiotic that I have to take every six hours around the clock.

Twice I had to wear socks during the summer, which is everything that I stand against.

Once with Toms and shorts.

I think it is the equivalent of Job scratching his sores with broken pottery and dogs licking his open sores. My wife even once told me to curse God and die. (Well, not really.)

When people see my feet ankles they avoid me like I have leprosy. It's as if I'm walking around ringing bells, yelling "UNCLEAN!"

My wife said, "Can you believe that something so small can cause that much damage?"

Fire ants understand the power of community.

Though they measure only 1/8 of an inch, they are able to work together to build extensive tunnels underground up to 10 feet deep. When I stepped on their mound, they didn't send one ant to bite me, but an army. One fire ant would have had little effect on me, but the army have left me miserable for days.

The truth is that there is little in the Christian life that is as important as community. And there isn't a community more important to the world than the Christian community--the Church.

The fire ants understand that it's not about the individual, but about the community. They build together and fight together. While it's not about the individual, when the community is healthy, the individual's needs are met.

Christian, you were created to be in community with other Christians.

When we live in community, we work together for the good of one another. We aren't much alone, but when we work and fight together with the Holy Spirit we are an unstoppable force. That's what makes the Church so special.