What does it mean to be a good neighbor? We hear the scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” but what if we took it to be our actual neighbors?Today we discuss what it means to share our faith with those living “next door.”

In today’s Bible reading one of topics discussed was how to be a good neighbor and share the love of Jesus through doing life with those living across and on either side of us. This got me thinking, how am I being “neighborly” to my actual neighbors? Since God has spoken to me about community and being a light to those around me, I have been intentional about my relationships and developing a servant’s heart for the basic needs of others that I come in contact with on a daily basis. But what does this even mean? Well for me in particular, it means Chris (my husband) and I have been planning once a month, if not once every other week, to go out to eat with our neighbors who live across the street. This also includes times where we can do yard work together, or come over for sports games and such. By “just doing life” with them, and walking in integrity, we are noticing how God has allowed us to share our faith, as well as letting them know we actually care about them as a whole – not just their spiritual life, but every other area too! For so long I fought to understand my calling, but then I realized God’s calling on my life was to just be good to others and help them see that a follower of Jesus isn’t just someone who talks the talk, but a true disciple is someone who lives it out in their everyday life….and, we are just like them except we have chosen to place our eternal hope and future in the hands of Jesus Christ!

For those who don’t know, it is Lent season, which means from March 6th to April 21st – basically the weeks leading up to Easter – followers of Jesus take time to reflect on Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection. We also give something up during this time; certain types of food, certain activities, or even television. For me, it is certain foods, spending more time in the Word and my quiet time with the Lord, and spending time outdoors – whether through taking walks, admiring God’s creation, or doing activities that don’t involve technology with my husband. In saying all of this, I started a devotion a while back on Lent and actionable things we can do during this time of reflection leading up to Easter Sunday. Each day I am given a new action to do, or challenge if you will – I am actually thinking of restarting it after Easter because of the great challenges -, and today’s was about being neighborly. One of the things discussed was how the author used a pair of hedge trimmers to prune their hedges and during the process it died on them. Now the normal thing to do is just let your neighbor know and give them a few bucks to get it fixed. However, as a follower of Jesus we are not like normal people, we should go above and beyond! This person discussed how they not only bought them a new trimmer, but it was even better than the one before! Now that is what I call being neighborly!!!! How many of us would go above and beyond to do something like that for those we live next or across from?

Today, I want to challenge you to do something nice for your neighbors. It doesn’t have to be extravagant like the person who wrote today’s devotion, but something that will show you care. For example, look for ways, and pay attention to things going on in your neighbors lives. Do you live next to a single mom or dad who talks about working hard and not having enough for a baby sitter or to get much groceries for their kids? Maybe you live near an elderly person(s) who can’t get out to take care of their yard. Whatever it is, choose today to do something extra and share Jesus in the way you live and serve those next door to you today. Let me know what you chose to do, or if you already do this, then share some things you have done below. I look forward to reading your comments.

Until next time,

Angie

‘This is the second: ‘You shall [unselfishly] love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” – MARK 12:31 https://my.bible.com/bible/1588/MRK.12.31