We’ve been using the phrase ‘better together’ since the first meeting of Holy Barre three and a half years ago. And I’ve posted about our need for community in multiple ways in the past. Here’s one even with the same title!
While to many of you we sound like a broken record, we cannot overlook or neglect our need for true, genuine biblical community. I’m talking about relationships that go deeper than the surface chit chat and allow authentic and real conversations. As these are the types of relationships that truly burn bright and bring growth, joy, and freedom!
So what does better together actually look like?
As iron sharpens iron,
Proverbs 27:17
so a friend sharpens a friend.
You’ve probably heard the phrase ‘iron sharpens iron’, but let’s focus on the word ‘sharpens’. The most valuable relationships in our lives are those that truly sharpen us, or make us more effective and better. This may look like giving encouragement, challenging each other, showing continuous support, or asking the real, hard questions. This may mean getting our hands dirty in each other’s messy lives but doing so from a place of service and love with the ultimate goal being to sharpen or make better. Check out the verse below.
Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
Galatians 6:1-3
The critical factor in all of this is our ability to be real with one another. If iron sharpens iron, we must be willing to be sharpened as well. This is where regular connection comes in and holding each other accountability through various seasons of life. Our American culture is so rich on getting our physical needs met, but many of us are so poor when it comes to relational needs. But good news! Jesus came for the broken, the lonely, the needy, the struggling. And we can live out His gospel message by admitting our own brokenness and connecting with the reality of others.
One thing that’s been standing out to me lately is our need to be better together with people different than us. We naturally gravitate to those in our same seasons and circles. And while those relationships are so valuable and genuine gifts, do they sharpen us? The book Live No Lies by John Mark Comer mentions thriving gospel communities in our history typically were the most diverse, racially and socioeconomically, groups of people. Let’s get outside our circles . . .
In applying this to Holy Barre, we value in-person connection. We LOVE our YouTube subscribers and social media followers while also praying each and every one is in biblical community where they live. In addition, we are training new Holy Barre instructors so they can bring this burning bright, better together community to where God has planted them! If you’d like to learn more about becoming a Holy Barre instructor, click here. New virtual training beginning in March!
Let’s end with this passage from Romans 12. And let’s group these verses together as one, processing through the truth that even these words are better together.
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:1-13
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
Ready to move your body in worship and process the idea of ‘better together’ further? Here’s a YouTube workout that’s ready for you!
Holy Barre 