What is a neighbor?

When Rachel and I moved to Philadelphia in late August we were really praying for and seeking opportunities in being intentional about being a neighbor. The past couple weeks, I have been reading the gospel of Luke and have been struck by chapter 10. A lawyer asks Jesus in v. 29 the question, "who is my neighbor?" Jesus then goes into the parable about the Good Samaritan. After reading Luke 10 I have began to ask myself that question. Who is my neighbor? I have long felt that too often, especially coming from Moody, people view ministry as a vocational job, such as pastor, youth pastor, missionary, etc. These are all definitely ministry but my understanding of the reading of the gospels is that we are all to be doing ministry as we live, for it was the religious leaders who passed by the man and the Samaritan who stopped to help.

Not only are my neighbors those who live directly next to me or on my block, but they are the people I work with, the people I see on the trolley each morning, those who I brush shoulders with each day but don't necessarily have a relationship with. This is where I have been real challenged as of late. I have been challenged to be intentional in being a neighbor to these people and living the kingdom of God.

Through reading Luke I have also been reading a book by Henri Nouwen called "Compassion". Here is a quote that has struck me over the last day or two.

"More and more the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privelege to have the time to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems. My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for social progress.

But I wonder more and more if the first things should be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them."

May the Lord bless you as you seek to be a good neighbor! The Word became flesh and moved into the neighborhood.