A Good Neighbor

I have great neighbors where I live and they are family as well. I also have great neighbors up and down the road where I live. When I look at the city where my office is located, I find great neighbors there as well. I had someone tell me years ago that to have great neighbors, I needed to be a great neighbor.

When I study scripture, I find that my neighbor is pretty much anyone. When Jesus told the story of the “Good Samaritan” in Luke 10:25-37, He was defining my neighbor as anyone, not just those living near me or working near me.

As Nehemiah leads the team that is rebuilding the temple and the wall around Jerusalem, he strategically has most everyone involved working on different parts of the wall as well as the city gates. Check this out…

31 Next to him, Malkijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the temple servants and the merchants, opposite the Inspection Gate, and as far as the room above the corner; 32 and between the room above the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and merchants made repairs. (Nehemiah 3:31-32 NIV)

There were people doing woodwork and stone work who were really goldsmiths, shop owners and musicians. Everyone was helping everyone. This was definitely a project where neighbor was helping neighbor. There is energy and synergy that is created when neighbors work together. I recently spoke with a guy who went to the state of Louisiana to help some of the flood victims. There were people from all over the United States arriving to help flood victims find housing and to restore their damaged homes.

Our church recently did a series about “How To Neighbor” and we learned that there are multiple ways to be a good neighbor. We had a group visit the VA center, Nursing Home, Pregnancy Resource Center and Department of Family & Children Services to show support and care for people who are in all walks of life and in all sorts of different circumstances. I have a lot to learn about being a good neighbor to strangers in my life. I feel like I’m a pretty strong neighbor to those I know and like. I believe the Lord calls me to be a good neighbor to everyone.

Pressing On!

Dwayne