Loathe Thy Neighbor....
Monday, May 09, 2005 Edit This 2 Comments »
Happy Monday to all in blogger land....
There are many things that have crossed my mind this morning but one thing in particular that I thought about is how there is a huge disconnect with the people who live in my community. The whole love thy neighbor thing that I knew as a child has been reduced to a passing hello, a quick wave and an occasional how are you.
I've lived in my condo association which has over 500 units in total for over two years now and while my particular section has only about 150 units, I pretty much see the same handful of people leaving and going. I often wonder if anyone really lives there. With those same people, often only comes very short passing conversations which are pretty shallow in nature.
I should probably also mention that I'm no better than the next man or woman. If I need to leave out of my unit and I hear someone in my building leave out, I'll wait for them to walk out of the courtyard before I even come out because I don't feel like talking to them..... The people above me are nothing more than loud and proud feet and the lady next door is nothing more than a big mouth. So while I long to love my neighbors and know what's going on in their lives so I can know how to pray for them, I'm usually to frustrated with them for making many a nights and mornings un-enjoyable.
What do I do? How can I search for ways to make this command of God to love my neighbor a reality? I guess change does ultimately begin with me......
There are many things that have crossed my mind this morning but one thing in particular that I thought about is how there is a huge disconnect with the people who live in my community. The whole love thy neighbor thing that I knew as a child has been reduced to a passing hello, a quick wave and an occasional how are you.
I've lived in my condo association which has over 500 units in total for over two years now and while my particular section has only about 150 units, I pretty much see the same handful of people leaving and going. I often wonder if anyone really lives there. With those same people, often only comes very short passing conversations which are pretty shallow in nature.
I should probably also mention that I'm no better than the next man or woman. If I need to leave out of my unit and I hear someone in my building leave out, I'll wait for them to walk out of the courtyard before I even come out because I don't feel like talking to them..... The people above me are nothing more than loud and proud feet and the lady next door is nothing more than a big mouth. So while I long to love my neighbors and know what's going on in their lives so I can know how to pray for them, I'm usually to frustrated with them for making many a nights and mornings un-enjoyable.
What do I do? How can I search for ways to make this command of God to love my neighbor a reality? I guess change does ultimately begin with me......
2 What's on Your Write Mind?:
First of all, I love the title! :) Secondly, I think that the saying "Love thy neighbor" refers to helping your neighbor when they are in need or feeding them when they are hungry. It's also that friendly "hello" in passing. I don't think that God necessarily required you to have a relationship with "thy" neighbor or particularly like them. I really believe that it's all about extending yourself and lending a helping hand when it is needed.
Word... You're very insightful Stephen. Thanks for helping me to look at it in another light.
At the same time however I feel like how would I know that they are in need if I don't share in some sort of dialogue with them thats a little deeper than the surface? I dunno, I guess observation can come into play then. Loving thy neighbor, I know includes the simple and polite hello's and I don't think necessarily want a "relationship" I just feel like something's missing.
But, you could very well be calling out that "savior mentality" I can sometimes get in?
This is some really good food for thought S.... Thanks
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