When we think of weddings, our focus is rightly on the event taking place—a man and woman pledging to stand side-by-side for the rest of their lives. We, the guests, are there to celebrate with the couple. It’s important to remember we were uniquely chosen to share in their love and excitement.

This past August as my fiancée and I prepared for our own wedding, I considered who I would invite. My decisions had to be deliberate since I was asking friends and family to travel. Who did I want to ask to fly across Canada to be at my wedding?

Asking my friends to be part of my wedding not only recognized the impact that they had played in my life up until this point—I was also asking them to be a part of my future! By attending, they were committing to stand by us in our covenant before God.

As believers, how often do we live out this same intentionally in our communities? These days it seems like we don’t invest in each other’s lives much, either because we’re distracted or don’t make the time.

For me, marriage is a reminder that we are created to be in community. The early church is an example of how this idea expands beyond couples. At the end of Acts 2, after Peter had finished his proclamation of the Gospel to the crowds, people came to faith by the thousands! What happened next? “They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity” (Acts 2:46, emphasis added). They formed a community! These believers intentionally spent time together over meals (a sign of friendship in ancient cultures), and took time to help those among them in need.

With a community-living mentality at heart, my wife and I continue seeking ways to live with intention. One way we’re doing this is by inviting people into our home for food and fellowship at least twice a month. As life gets busier, we know it will get harder to open our doors. Yet our goal—and our hope—is to be sacrificial in our time for people. We want to keep each other accountable and support each other in the covenant we made to one another and to the God we serve.