There's a whole world of people out there who need to be loved and appreciated--people in the fast lane and others with their hazards on; compacts and wide loads; Porsches and Pintos. The ones most like me are easier to understand and harder to appreciate, but I guess that's the point of this post.
For the remainder of 2009 (and hopefully beyond), I really want to "love my neighbor as myself."
I love myself a lot--I think I can safely admit that here. Christ assumed we would love ourselves, otherwise he wouldn't have said something so cryptic as "love your neighbor as yourself." I bathe, cut, trim, feed, pamper, rest, exercise, medicate (when necessary), and even dress myself with care (those of you who know me can stop laughing anytime now). Christ didn't have to explain the idea of "lov[ing] yourself." We get it.
Our churches (I work in a church, so I hope you don't mind a little self-criticism here) spend lots of time and resources on programs that are designed to reach out to my neighbors. Think of that! Slick advertising, impressive brochures, polished presentations and professional programming all lead up to someone else telling my neighbors about Christ's love. The irony is that if we weren't so busy laying these things out, planning, printing, practicing and preparing, we'd have a lot more time to tell them--better, show them ourselves.
(I am not arguing that the church ought to never have have formal programs toward evangelism. I am trying to emphasize that the program ought not to be our only or primary means of reaching my neighbors.)
So, what will I do about this desire to end 2009 as a person who loves his neighbor?
- Enjoy as much time as possible outside--especially in my neighborhood. I am going to emphasize the things I know that my wife loves--delivering her baked goods, taking walks, and completing a few projects in the yard. I have several neighbors who have outdoor projects going on right now--imitation is the highest form of flattery.
- Embarrass myself to the neighbors whose names I do not know yet by saying, "We've lived near each other for 12 years now--what was your name again?" That's it. No more waving at nameless faces as they disappear into anonymous caves of closing garage doors.
- Pray over (and during) every conversation as I boldly and unapologetically speak of Christ alone as King. Ya, I know, that beating this drum can get old, or feel forced--that's where the prayer comes in.
- Strive to care for and love my neighbors exactly the same both before and after they either reject or receive Jesus Christ. I know it's tricky. I live in a community of deeply religious people from "mainline" churches. To most of them, receiving communion and receiving Christ are exactly the same thing. It seems like that they'll never get the difference if it is not stated in words to them, and not just learned (again) as doctrine next Sunday morning. It would be sweet to be known as the neighbor who really loves (not just the religious guy).
- Lose my excuses. "I have one for every selfish thing I do," just like Charlie Peacock's song, "In the Light." Some excuses I have to lose:
-"They don't even care." ("And I don't really like them.")
-"I'm afraid."
-"I don't have time." ("I'm too busy.")
-"My own family is more important."
-"I don't know how to do this." (Or, "No one else seems to be doing this . . .")
-"My church has a program for this."
-"I tried this before."
So that's it. It seems so insignificant. I want to actually care about my neighbors--showing them consistent love with God's help for their good and his glory. Ask me how it's going sometime.
p.s. The church needs outreach programs that get us organized and shoot at a specific target. Please do not read "End the outreach programs." That's not what I'm saying. I want to BECOME my church's outreach program a little better for God's glory. I'm just saying.
No comments:
Post a Comment