My family arrived in Alaska in 2015. At the time, we had one toddler and a baby due in December. My husband was a C-17 pilot and was frequently gone on missions for days or weeks at a time. As a military spouse, I learned that there just isn’t time to wait years to move past shallow acquaintances, as friendships are vital to survival in so many ways. We immediately joined ACF and the second week we were here, a Life Group. I was introduced to a group of people I still love dearly to this day. One morning in late fall, we had a significant snowfall, and my husband was gone on a mission. I heard that telltale scraping of a shovel outside before I received a text that it was my life group leader/friend, and that I should not come out to help her. She simply wanted to bless me, knowing I probably shouldn’t be shoveling snow by myself at 8 months pregnant. I couldn’t believe this busy mom would take time out of her day to help me with snow removal. This is one of literally hundreds of examples I have of my life being exponentially better in the context of community and friendships. This friend and many others over the years have challenged me in my Christian walk, graciously confronted sin in my life, encouraged me as a mom, stretched my generosity, and brought me so much joy and laughter. I attribute almost my entire love of living in Alaska to the community I have here.

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One of ACF’s values is that Life is Better Together. Today’s Scripture highlights openhandedness and generosity in the context of community. The word “brother” is used, not in reference to a blood relative, but to imply a deeper relationship than a simple acquaintance. This is similar to how God himself lives in relationship. He calls us to reflect His character, and the very essence of God is depicted to us in the three persons of the Trinity. Genesis 1:26 says, “Let us make mankind in our image…” showing that God the Father, Son, and Spirit together created mankind. Later, in Genesis 2:18, more detail of the creation story is given, and we see that God had created Adam, but said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” God showed us by example and by design that life is better together.  

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Jesus exemplified this value as he gathered twelve men to be his disciples. These men lived and traveled together and even sometimes argued like siblings. They were not perfect, but after Jesus ascended into Heaven, they relied on one another and became the most remarkable example of community: the early church. Acts 4:32-35 says, “Now the entire group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common. With great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on all of them. For there was not a needy person among them because all those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the proceeds of what was sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet. This was then distributed to each person as any had need.”  

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The striking sentence here, to me, is, “The entire group of those who believed were of one heart and one mind.” This means that the generosity and openhandedness of the early church was not coerced. It wasn’t a guilt trip. They chose and willingly came forward with anything they had to share to make sure basic needs were met, because they all understood that they had a bigger mission than simply surviving. They recognized their common mission of spreading the gospel was a much more powerful testimony if no one among them was in need. Indeed, in many ways, we believe the gospel today because of the early church’s faithfulness in spreading it, and in part, by living together in community. On that snowy day, I learned the importance and blessings of community through a friend who saw and met my need. While the early church faced unimaginable difficulties, like persecution and social strife, they too put the “life is better together” principle into practice, and we can follow their example.  

Have you been on the receiving end of being blessed by community? Do you personally live out this value? What is one step you can take today to live more like the early church in your openhandedness?  

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Lord, thank you for the examples you have provided and the design you gave us to live life in community. Help us to show others your design by living out this value well. We love you! Amen.