The sage replied, “You must remember that when you look upon each other, you are seeing the face of God.”

I once read a story about a ruined town, heavy with resentment, its people withdrawn and distrustful. Hatred and conflicts among people prevailed. Cooperation had vanished, and the town was crumbling.

One resident, desperate for guidance, journeyed into the forest to seek wisdom from a revered sage.

After a long journey, the resident found the wise one.

“What must we do to revive our community?” the resident asked. He told the sage about the town’s dilemma.

The sage replied, “You must remember that when you look upon each other, you are seeing the face of God.”

The resident returned to his home, unsure of what such a statement meant. But when the mayor heard the sage’s message, he asked the resident to repeat it.

“You must remember that when you look upon each other, you are seeing the face of God.”

Slowly, the message spread. People began to treat one another with reverence and care again. Suspicion gave way to friendship. Despair softened into hope. The town began to flourish again. It is revived by the simple truth that every person carries the divine within themselves.

Many people carry stories of spiritual wounding. Some have felt cast out or unseen by organized religion. A wise pastor once said, “Don’t ask if a church will hurt you, but when.” Churches, like all communities, are built by imperfect people. And yet, we still long for belonging.

Everyone needs a sense of place.

We need a place where we feel safe and known. This can be in a community, a physical space, or a relationship. This is crucial to our well-being. We were created for connection. But we also need discernment to recognize when a space is nourishing and when it’s not.

We find ourselves in environments that drain us. These environments diminish us or cause harm. This can shake our sense of worth and direction. Especially painful is when those who claim to care for us are the ones inflicting the wounds. In those moments, we question where we belong, and whether there’s a place where we can truly be seen.

When we find spaces that uplift us, they become sacred ground. These are spaces where we’re valued, accepted, and encouraged to grow. These are the places where transformation happens. Where we can offer our gifts freely and accept others with grace.

And if we can’t find such places? Gandhi’s words echo: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

We are not only seekers of sacred spaces, but we are also builders of them. We can create environments that honor the dignity of every soul. Whether in our families, faith communities, or circles of friendship, we can cultivate spaces of welcome and wonder.

It starts small. A kind word. A listening ear. A willingness to embrace differences. These gestures ripple outward, shaping communities where everyone feels uplifted and empowered.

We each carry the capacity to build places of belonging. Places where the face of God is recognized in every person. And in doing so, we help heal what’s broken by one relationship, one gathering, one sacred space at a time.

Rewritten from WTC’s blog site with permission: Creating Community from Within

A newsletter by Katie Rea.