As someone who grew up in the church, my resurrection story started early on. I invited Jesus into my heart when I was in third grade and was baptized at my local church quickly after. At that point in my life, my family and I had moved quite a few times because of my Dad’s job. I was a naturally shy kid, but add moving often into the mix, and I was left with few friends. When I finally felt like I belonged to a community where I felt seen and known, my parents told me we were moving again in the summer before my 6th-grade year.
My junior high and high school years were an interesting paradox because a lot of people knew of me, but no one truly knew me. I went to church and youth group, where I was a leader, but I would go home and feel so alone. I knew God loved me and had a plan for me, but because of my past, I wasn’t willing to open up to those around me.
Flash forward, I applied to one college, moved, and was surrounded by 50,000 plus people, but still had absolutely no one who knew me. I remember sitting in my dorm praying and hearing the Holy Spirit clearly say to me, “Bailey, I know you know me and love me, but I did not intend for you to do this life alone.” The Holy Spirit continued prompting me and pushing me out of my comfort zone, and I am forever grateful because now I can’t imagine what life would look like without my community. Community is meant to exhort one another, bear each other’s burdens, worship together, serve together, and remind one another of the promise of Jesus’ return.