I moved around loads as a child. Of all of my neighborhoods, the one which stands out is my block in Atlanta, Georgia. When I used to be around ten years old, I used to be playing outside with the opposite neighborhood kids. We all stopped mid-play because a hot air balloon slowly descended from the sky and landed perfectly on my parent’s front lawn. Apparently, the pilot was struggling to land and made his way squarely to my parent’s green grass. To us kids, this felt like a miracle! (It probably felt like a miracle for the pilot as well.)
As a bit of girl, that have was noteworthy and exciting; all of the neighborhood kids got here running to my house to take pictures and spy on the recent air balloon. The local news got here and reported on the event. That experience added a lot value to my neighborhood.
That memory at all times gets me pondering—What does it mean so as to add value to a spot or one other person? What does it mean so as to add value to the world around us? Galatians 5:13-14 says,
“For you have got been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve each other in love. For the entire law could be summed up on this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself (NLT).’”
So often, we wish to vary the world. We have big dreams and visions about how we will do this. But do you understand how we actually change the world? Do you understand how we really add value to our neighbors and our neighborhoods? We love them in Jesus’s name. World change is so simple as that—loving our neighbors.
Here are a number of practical ways to like our neighbors (and by the way in which, in the event you’re wondering—your neighbor is anyone you’re around and anyone God puts in your path or in your heart):
1. Look in your neighbor as in the event you are on the lookout for yourself.
Loving your neighbor as you like yourself implies viewing your neighbor as an equal. God could have said, “Love your neighbor as you like your boss, your mom or dad, your kids, or your employees.” But we’re commanded to like our neighbors like we love ourselves. This leaves no room for jealousy, pride, or competition with our neighbors. What’s good for them is sweet for us. And vice-versa.
This could be very intentional language from God because if we predict we don’t love ourselves, we’re fooling ourselves. I mean, take into consideration group photos for a second. Say you’re taking a bunch photo after which have a look at the image in your phone—whose face do you search for first?
Your own, right? (We all do it; don’t be embarrassed.) The Bible is essentially saying,
“Look in your neighbor the identical way you search for yourself.”
Value your neighbor in the identical way you value yourself.
2. Experience God’s love for yourself.
The other truth implied in loving your neighbor as yourself – is that you just love yourself! You have value to God. God wants you to grasp and internalize this because, though we’re mostly the star of the group photo, all of us have those days and seasons once we doubt our abilities, strength, callings, price, and value. We don’t like our bodies or skill sets or are wrapped up in a lot insecurity.
You were created as God’s image bearer. You are God’s creativity, walking on this planet for a purpose. God, in Jesus, is pleased with you. Tape that to your mirror; tattoo it in your soul – do whatever you may to keep in mind that truth.
You are so loved by God. So, love yourself and your neighbor.
3. Serve your neighbor as you serve yourself.
Think about this for a second—how do you truly, practically love yourself? A healthy person adds value to herself without even really pondering much about it. You feed yourself, clothe yourself, bathe yourself. You deal with yourself. You work hard, have a good time, give yourself rest, educate yourself, exercise yourself, help yourself, etc.
God says to do this for others. Loving our neighbors doesn’t must be this big ordeal. In the regular rhythms of life, now we have an invite from God so as to add value to others. Are you making yourself a dessert? Make one for a neighbor. Are you mowing your lawn? Mow your neighbor’s lawn. Are you purchasing a latest candle or essential oil? Buy your neighbor one, too. Are you protesting against or writing about injustice? Protest the injustice your neighbor (locally or globally) experiences.
Let’s start with this basic foundation – we’re invited to like our neighbors the identical way we love ourselves.
Hot air balloons notwithstanding, we will add value to our neighbors and our neighborhoods for eternity by loving them as ourselves.
Some practical ways so as to add value to your neighborhoods:
- Random acts of kindness- pay for the coffee of the person behind you in line.
- Volunteer for a corporation whose mission you think in.
- Send a meaningful Bible verse or a word of encouragement to a hurting neighbor.
- Ask a friend how you may pray for them.
- Meet practical needs- offer to do laundry, babysit, or run errands for a neighbor- especially in the event you know they’re struggling.
- If you have got a yard or communal area, move a firepit to the front and have a neighborhood S’mores party.
- Frequent an area restaurant or coffee shop to construct relationships and add value to the economy.
Photo Credit: Unsplash/Mathyas Kurmann
LISTEN: How to Have “Inexpressible Joy” Even While You’re Suffering
1 Peter is a book of the Bible all about enduring suffering and trials, and even finding joy within the midst of them. This joy is intriguing since it’s mentioned within the context of suffering and trials, difficult us to grasp how we will experience such profound joy amidst difficulties. Let’s dive into 1 Peter together and learn learn how to clutch inexpressible joy, regardless of what you are facing.
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