For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation. ‘This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it. Psalm 132: 13-14
Those who trust in the Lord are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever. As the mountain surround Jerusalem so the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forevermore. Psalm 125:1-2
Oh, you thought I was finished after sending you off to go and love your community? Well, just like God’s story…we aren’t finished yet.
As much as I believe we can create rich and rooted community, I also know that nothing in our human world will ever be perfect . I still find myself in awkward friendship moments that hurt, wound, or just leave things unspoken. I know I still get sad when I feel a friendship sliding away or I learn that another girl said something snarky behind my back. Our communities will NEVER be what we know they should be. Which is why we need to hold on to the sweet promise of Zion.
In the Old Testament, Zion was a real place where King David built his palace. It was a place where God’s chosen people could dwell together in safety and peace. Later in the Old Testament, Zion was known as a “city of God” representing Israel, God’s chosen people.
In the New Testament, Zion became a representation of the new heaven and earth, a place where God will dwell FOREVER with His people (see Rev. 14:1).
So, when we talk about our hope for Zion, we are talking about a future reality where our relationship with God and others is perfect. We will finally experience perfect union, connection and fellowship with Him. It also means we will one day have perfect fellowship with one another– complete reconciliation, forgiveness, peace and unity.
As I have come to the end of this series, this is the truth that causes tears to stream down my face because I know what it feels like to yearn for perfect community and still experience emptiness. But thankfully we have hope.
We can continue to fight our sin and fight for God-centered community. Yet, we can also live in the hope that one day we won’t have to because the fight will be over…forever. We will live together as Zion, God dwelling with us and He will choose to rest with us forever.
So as we wait for our future Zion, may we build shadows of what is to come; constantly pointing to Christ’s death on a cross who reconciled us back into relationship with Him. God causes us to desire fellowship because He desires it with us, first. May this good news strengthen your relationship with God and transform the way you build rooted community. The aim is not easy, but it is everlasting for “Zion cannot be moved but abides forever” (Psalm 125:1).
Our communities represent a hope for the world. A fullness that many unbelievers have yet to experience can be introduced through the way you love your friends. Let’s go BE rooted community to those who need genuine connection with God and with His family.
Questions for Your Community:
Where else can you find Zion in the Bible?
How does the image of Zion give you hope for your relationships?
How might you invite a non-Christian friend to enjoy rooted community?
Challenge:
Talk about the characteristics of Zion in Scripture and how your community can begin to create practices that help display the future hope we have to the world.
