1 - God and Jesus had community

We tend, as artists, in particular, to isolate ourselves so that we can focus on our work. And spending time alone can help with that. As long we invite God into that space to help guide us and keep us grounded.

But, we also need to invite others into our world. We need a community of friends that we can do life together with. God set great examples of this by creating Adam and Eve. They were created to be together, not live separately. Jesus was also a great leader in this concept. When He began His ministry, he had 12 people join Him. He was able to eat and relax with them, but also poured into them. He showed us how we are to live life together.

Proverbs 18:1 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends
    and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.

2 - True friends

We need to make sure that our community that we surround ourselves with for support and encouragement, is actually supportive and encouraging. We all have those friends that seem to be friends, but let's be honest, if we stopped being there for them, stopped texting or calling, we would get crickets from them. A true friend is a two-way street.

If we go through life always giving and never receiving, we will become drained and exhausted. A true friend and community will lift you up and fill you up when you need it.

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times,
    and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

3 - Honesty

We need people in our lives that will be honest with us when we are going the wrong way. Loving someone does not mean always being nice and never causing a stir. If we net our children do whatever they wanted, they would be in serious peril. If a friend does the same he is not a true friend. Love requires honesty. Even if it hurts. But at the same time, love isn't out to just make us feel bad. Love wants the best for us. God is love and we need people in our lives who can love us as well.

Proverbs 27:6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
    but an enemy multiplies kisses.

4 - Iron sharpens iron

We not only need to be told the truth, but we need to be challenged. If we are not growing in our lives, especially as a Christian, we will not be any good to those we are called to reach. God wants us to be showing others His love and telling them about the Gospel. If we are not growing and learning we will not be effective at this. We need to be learning what the bible says and how it applies to our lives and others. This is not an easy thing to do on our own. We need other's perspectives and experiences to help us understand what we are learning from God.

Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron,
    so one person sharpens another.

Proverbs 15:22 Plans fail for lack of counsel,
    but with many advisers they succeed.

5 - Making Disciples

When we invest in others, we continue the cycle of community. Those we pour into should be pouring into others. We ourselves grow through teaching. The best way to really learn something is to teach it to others. When we take the time to really focus on others and helping them, we get so much out of it ourselves.

Proverbs 3:27,28 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
    when it is in your power to act.
Do not say to your neighbor,
    “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
    when you already have it with you.