Over the course of the past year, I have been blessed with several opportunities to facilitate growth in my faith, my fellowship, and myself. Amazingly enough, it is only in hindsight that I realize the true impact these interactions have had on my development. At the end of the day, it's not by my own competence that I've achieved the growth I have. Every step I have progressed has been contingent on the connections I have made and the relationships I have fostered.
So why? Why should we connect? Christians will suggest the importance of fellowship to our spiritual wellbeing, how we aren't made to be lonesome. Take the Greek translation for "fellowship" which is “koinonia.” This Greek word is derived from the root, “koinos,” which loosely translates to signify something that is shared. Fellowship itself is sharing; it's having something in common. The thing you have in common is a thirst for knowledge, for illumination, for Christ.
But what does that have too do with anyone else? Why do I need to connect with others when surely one could argue that the most important fellowship to take part in would be a fellowship with the Lord Himself. That's true, but allow me to propose it to you this way. Fellowship is about more than relation through a common ground; fellowship is an action word. It is more about DOING together rather than BEING together. I've had the incredible opportunity to grow in my fellowship by others doing Orthodoxy with me; they have worshipped with me, prayed with me, prayed for me, cried beside me, hymned with me, participated acts of service with me. We together participated in a fellowship that has together fostered a true fellowship, a connection with Christ.
The first thing that comes to mind is Saints Paul and Timothy's letter to the Philippians in which they write:
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:3-11, NKJV)
I am truly in awe of how wonderful fellowship can be. Connecting myself with other young adults who are hungry for the word is indescribable, and moreover, gaining knowledge, experience, perspective, and relation is irreplaceable. I am truly blessed that I have gained a community of people who are happy to pray for me and that I am honored to pray for.
I digress, let me extend to you and invitation: if you've ever wanted to connect to something greater, learn something new, foster growth in yourself as a Christian, or explore the Faith. Come to Connect Orthodoxy Young Adult Conference between October 6-8 in Atlanta, GA. Details are below.
https://connectorthodoxy.orgConnect Orthodoxy
May God keep you and bless you always, I hope to see you there.
