Fellowship of the Weak

I find this quote by Henri Nouwen challenging. It speaks to the kind of church I long for, and the risks it will take to get there:

I feel within me a strong desire to live life on my own. In fact, my society praises the self-made people who are in control of their destinies, set their own goals, fulfill their own aspirations, and build their own kingdoms. It is very hard for me to truly believe that spiritual maturity is a willingness to let others guide me…

And still, every time I am willing to break out of my false needs for self-sufficiency and dare to ask for help, a new community emerges – a fellowship of the weak – strong in the trust that together we can be a people of hope in a broken world…To receive help, support, guidance, affections, and care may well be a greater call than that of giving all these things because in receiving I reveal the gift to the givers and a new life together can begin. (Walk With Jesus)