Community Living

I snuck into Bible Study about 45 minutes late tonight (due to a volleyball game at school), and I was really glad I went. We're studying Acts of the Apostles, so there's a lot of good discussion to be had surrounding the beginning of the Christian Church.

One question centered around the type of living the early followers led - so we got to talking about community living and having all things shared. So, naturally, I started talking about ACE - how we all went in on one bank account, cooked and ate meals together, shared a house and transportation... I guess I take that time of intentional community living for granted because my table group started asking things like, wasn't that hard? and did everyone just go for the cheap stuff? They were surprised when I told them how well we actually ate in Phoenix those two years.

Maybe that time in ACE taught me more than I even realized then - intentional community living done well must indeed be close to those early followers. We looked out for each other, shared jobs, and spent quality time in prayer and conversation.

Darn right it was hard...and maybe I wouldn't have chosen it on my own. But in looking back, I think it has transformed me into a more empathetic person who can more easily go with the flow and not get caught up in the whole "it's mine" mentality.

So, years later, I've still got ACE to thank. :)