A Testament to the Presence of God

This week our reflection comes from Tommy, one of our Grant Park Dwell community members. Atlanta's Dwell program seeds intentional Christian communities which focus on practicing Christian disciplines, serving the neighborhood and nurturing Christian community. Our Dwellers are mostly local folks who have a desire to live in Christian community and become the family of God to one another. Tommy is nursing student at Emory with a heart for children and justice. He also is the house leader for the Grant Park community. This is his second year in our community.

~Jannan Thomas - DOOR Atlanta City Director

"I chose to live in community because of the way I understand my call as a follower of Christ. That call includes loving my neighbors as brothers and sisters, sharing my life and my possessions, and intentionally pursuing alignment with Christ. This (Dwell community) has been the closest thing to the biblical image of a church that I’ve ever been a part of. Regardless of our struggles, this experience has taught me more about love than anything else. By putting myself in the position of vulnerability, where people around me become aware of my true self, it has become increasingly harder for me to avoid the refining nature of truth. For example, I've learned how to do simple tasks, like clean out the refridgerator, even when I know that it is not fair. ButI know that it is good for me to serve others in this way. I've also learned to be content or satisfied or grateful in serving others even when it is not fair. The concept of always coming back to the table regardless of feeling like you want to is an example of Christ’s reconciliation. As a community, we’re not able to avoid the relationships we have in this house. Therefore, we’re forced to deal with them. And because of our mission and vision, we have to deal with them in a way that honors Christ. In that process, in those situations that often seem hopeless, the success and the feeling that we’ve experienced is a testament to the presence of God."

~Tommy, Grant Park Dwell community member