As I pondered writing about the word “Neighbor,” my mind immediately went to Everybody Always, a Bob Goff study my small group did pre-pandemic. It’s a fantastic book about loving as Jesus loved, even the difficult people. It prompted serving, inviting neighbors to dinner, and sharing pictures of love in action, but I didn’t feel God’s nudge to go in that direction.

Then I considered my literal neighbors, the three other homes that mark the back of our street, with a special bond and a funny text thread. Was there something important to write about the snow plow that slid off the private drive, the lending of power tools and parking spaces for parties, or even the sharing of electricity from our generator during many power outages? I very much wanted to write about my precious front yard neighbors: three sweet girls, who skip over to visit our puppy, who dress adorably for every occasion, even to collect dirty chicken eggs, and always greet me with the most sing-song version of our crazy last name. Again, I didn’t hear God formulate anything around my actual neighborhood.

Fortunately, I had a few weeks before I needed to put pen to paper. It was during that lull, that my husband and I went to serve dinner at a men’s homeless shelter. I have always enjoyed delivering their plates of food and offering seconds. But my favorite part of the night is sitting down and talking with the men. This night was no exception: Fred stumped me with a few of his riddles. Tony was considering joining the running club. As a runner myself, we talked about the freedom of running and the health benefits. He couldn’t believe it when he was told new shoes were also a perk of the club. It was a quick and joyful 90 minutes of our time, and the priceless gift of Tony’s future running shoes was imprinted on my heart.

In the recalling of that night, I heard God prompt me to write about another type of neighbor, those that I may never live side by side with, but who desire and deserve the same “welcoming committee” in the new towns and homes they reside in, even if the home is a shelter.

“Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, … He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the foreigner, and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.” Psalm 146:5-9.

This passage says the Lord watches over the foreigner, and in other verses, the word “stranger” is used. In current day, we would say the unwanted, the unwelcome, or the unseen.

As my work is leading me to spend more time with felons and formerly incarcerated individuals, I am hearing their stories, their traumas, and often their rock bottom moments. For some, I also have the privilege to hear their choice to discover or rediscover faith. Over coffee last fall, my friend Brian told me about the fear he felt while in prison, but he also shared “In the solitude of walking around the prison track, I felt the warmth of something come over me, and I prayed for the first time in a long time”. Restoring his faith also brought his internal confidence back, the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

I’ve heard similar testimonies while on mission trips. From a shanty town in South Africa or a rural village of Nicaragua, as I’ve interacted with brothers and sisters in Christ, I’ve noticed some have a deeper reliance on the Lord, a true everyday dependency on Him. To me, it is very appealing and radiant, even in their gritty, dirty, and from my first-world lens, dangerous living conditions.

Is there a greater need for God when you are down on your luck and have nowhere to turn? When worldly items are stripped from you, does it feel like your only hope is to look up? It surprised me that those who are required to be self-reliant, due to poor choices in the past, possibly alienating and breaking trust with friends and family, are some of the strongest in their faith. They humbly reach out to God first and daily. They understand better than many of us that their future on earth and in Heaven are completely dependent on God.

I don’t wish homelessness, impoverishment, or a felony record on anyone, but there have been moments when I wonder if the comforts of 21st-century American living are preventing many of us from relying on God. Our economy and self-sufficiency allow for every need to be met: from many dining in or out options, multi-bedroom houses (often with unused beds), overflowing closets, and Zoom technology that simulates face-to-face conversations with loved ones, and allows us to not truly be present.

With all our conveniences, we often miss the interactions. We might know our neighbors’ names, but how often do we stop to chat?  Do we pause long enough while walking the dog to hear about their needs? Many of us cruise by each other’s homes and assume everything is okay because the outside is beautifully landscaped.

The Psalm above begins with “Blessed are those whose help is God”. Do we turn to God to do what He desires?

^“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:17-18).

The lesson I am learning from friends in third-world countries as well as the incarcerated believers in the USA, is that there is humility in the Christian faith. I’m no better than anyone, I’ve just been dealt better circumstances and have been blessed with different options. By removing any pride of thinking I’ve gotten myself where I am, I can see clearer how God wants to use me in others’ stories. Instead of viewing others as charity, I approach them as brothers and sisters from whom I want to learn the depths of their faith. And typically, from these exchanges, it is my heart that grows more thankful and dependent on God.

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me” (Matthew 25:35-36).

I’ve often read the above scripture and felt confused by it, wondering, is Jesus walking around on earth, testing me on how I’ve treated Him in disguise? However, when the passage is read in its entirety, the charity Jesus is describing is everyday acts of awareness and kindness to those around us, spurred by the condition of our hearts. God knows our thoughts. He knows our motivations and desires. Yes, actions are good, but only if they are for His glory. Humility allows us to help others at inconvenient times, and often draws us closer to God.

“Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.And the second is like it: You must love your neighbor as you love yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39).

I encourage you to rethink who your neighbors are: Those who live nearby, as well as the unwanted, the unwelcome, or the unseen who could use your helping hand. As believers, we are all children of God, and God loves all His children equally. A third thing to consider along with the two greatest commandments, everything we have belongs to God, and all we give is a response to His love for us.

We love because God first loved us.

God first loved us.

Please pray with me: Lord, how can we thank You enough for loving us? I want to know You deeper and more intimately. I desire a deeper reliance on You, an everyday dependency and humility. I trust Your plan for my future and I want to be used in bringing more people to understand and love You! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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