This past Saturday, I had the privilege to see Jen Hatmaker speak at the Go Girl! Women's Conference at Fellowship Dallas Bible Church. While I did not take notes, therefore I can't possibly begin to redeem her entire message, the parts I did glean from it was to Love your Neighbor. Ya know, a commandment of our Lord and Savior.
Well, sounds great! Right now, I'm loving my little neighbor Kyoshi (my boyfriend's dog) as he sits next to me. Earlier today, I loved my neighbor at the coffee shop while I worked, greeting her politely and allowing her to sit next to me at the community table/lounge area. And early this morning I loved my neighbor (my housemate) by getting out the house so she could sleep (as she's been working nights). So check, done...
Not so fast lady, that's what my conscious says...and then it starts to ask these questions?
What about your neighbors, the ones in your neighborhood? Remember when you moved into that great little house, you prayed for them? You prayed for your city and you intentionally tried to create ways to meet them, greet them and have conversations with them? What happened to that? What about the time you offered to help with your neighbor's car and have your friend work on it, but you never followed through? Nor did your friend. The entire thing was counted as a blessing, and had led to a great spiritual conversation, but your lack of follow through on the car, probably did not help your testimony of your faith very much. What about the time you made cookies for all of them at Christmas - that one time (the first year, this will be Christmas #4 in the hood). What about the most recent time when your neighbor fell ill and you promised to look in on her? Maybe help with some meals, etc.? Yep, how well did that go?
Jesus clearly stated. . .
". . . and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31New American Standard Bible (NASB)
There is no greater commandment than these. . . whoa, maybe my life is flipped upside down? Maybe the fact that I drive to a ministry each day that focuses on sharing the Gospel across this nation, but I can't get out of my comfort zone to start checking in with and loving on my neighbors, is a big slap in the face to God?
It's been on my mind. And as I write this, I don't know how or what I'm going to do, because I really need the Lord to clear the space and make me move. I just know that he's moving, he's always moving in my life. And this week I'm overwhelmed with the ideas that keep popping into my head, am I serving Him well? Am I doing the Lord's work? Am I loving my neighbor? Am I being a fool for Christ? Am I where He wants me to be? The emotions are raging and I'm asking for His clarity, His plan for me and His confirmation on how to move for Him. Thankfully as I am fluttering about, the one thing I'm not concerned about, is that He who calls me is faithful (Romans 8:28)!
Please pray with and for me as the Lord works this all out, He's moving and He's moving me!
Written 10/15/14