Being a member of the community in faith is not like anything else. There is an under lying something that binds a person to it. In a club or similar activity, involvement revolves around a common interest or theme: the gardening club, the chess club, the procrastinator's club. But your life outside of the club may not reflect your intense interest inside the club. You might not water your plants as fervently as you should. You read chess manuals to solidify your understanding of strategy or you just like the shape of the Star Wars set someone plays with. You do things more or less on time, but like the laid back atmosphere of the club that doesn't meet on a schedule because they can't be bothered to pick a date.
A community of faith on the other hand seems to permeate through everything. It's not just the people who share similar beliefs, although that is comforting. It some intangible aura, if you will, that surrounds you. It is not a halo. Anyone who believes that, needs to look honestly for new glasses. The people of faith I know are sinners all AND saints all at once. They speak of loving their fellow human, then whisper about the guy two pews over who falls asleep during the sermon. Faith-based relationships are more grounded, more comfortable. You don't have to believe every single thing the person next to you believes, but you do have to be willing to open your mind to new possibilities. You get to question things honestly, discuss things more deeply and you get to sing out loud and no one minds. That in itself is a relief, since I've been known to lead perfect pitch singers astray with what passes for singing coming from my mouth.
I know of no other place where I can be myself, bad singing and all, and I am accepted. For God loves me no matter what. And he loves all, so I don't have to worry if I'm having trouble with the snores of the guy in the pew. He has grace enough for everyone. Thank God.
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