I’ve always loved borrowing friends’ trucks. For one reason, it makes me feel a bit more masculine than my baby blue Chevy Spark makes me feel. But the other reason is that I love the sense of community you feel on Texas roads when you’re driving a truck.
I haven’t experienced this phenomena elsewhere. But when you drive a big truck in Texas, other truck drivers give you the nod of approval as you drive by them. It’s its own little community—truck owners in Texas. I absolutely love it.
I experienced this same weird community event the other day when I was driving my Spark. I passed by another baby blue Chevy Spark, and the owner waved enthusiastically at me. It was like he was saying, “Look! We have something in common. We’re basically best friends!”
That shows me one thing: That man is desperate for connection. The fact that two similar vehicles built a friendship between us shows that he’s looking for any excuse to connect with another person. It’s the same thing the Texas truck community shows me.
People are looking for ways to connect, because we’re a lonely society. We watch TV shows about community… We simulate community on social media… But very few of us actually have strong communities of people we can rely on.
It’s the sad state of the world. But it also presents an opportunity for us. If we can find a way to create community and connect people, you can pretty much sell anything you want. Imagine how that might apply to a business you want to start. Imagine how that might apply to a church you pastor. Imagine how that might apply to a non-profit you want to start. Imagine that applying to friendships you want to develop.
Know that people crave community. How can you give that to them?