Like many of you, I struggle to keep up with my neighbors. I am not a busy body sticking my nose in everyone’s business. I have plenty to keep up with my own home and family. I casually know some neighbors and exchange a friendly smile, especially to those that now take walks around the neighborhood. Many of the children ride bikes, motor scooters and ATV’s, while others walk their dogs or accompany their children to get exercise. Some of my neighbors are church members, so I know them on a different level.
The Old Testament “Shema, Deut. 6: 4-9” says, “Hear O Israel, Love the Lord your God with all your Heart, Mind, Soul and Strength” and then instructs us to teach the commands of the Lord to our children. In the New Testament, Jesus adds, “And love your neighbor as yourself.” Wow! What a statement. Love is an action toward others that is a command of God.
Noah was commanded by God to GO to Ninevah to tell them about God’s Love (OT book Jonah). Ninevah was a distant neighbor who lived about 500 miles away in what is now Iraq. Noah decided to run away from God’s commission, so he set out by boat to Tarshish, located in the opposite direction in Spain.
You know the rest of the story. The storm, getting tossed in the sea, swallowed by a great fish, regurgitated on the shore, journey to Ninevah, preaching God’s Mercy and Forgiveness and repentance and restoration.
Because Jonah shared the message, the city was saved. Did you know that centuries later Ninevah, which is located near Mosul, houses a monument on Jonah’s burial site. The Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths all share the story of Jonah, recognizing the faithfulness and mercy of God. Jonah’s Tomb was destroyed by ISIS on July 24, 2014. The site cherished by three religions was torn down in hopes of destroying what brought their faiths together.
Footnote: My neighbors, like my family, need God’s Mercy and Grace. Some are facing surgery, chemotherapy, addictions, financial crisis, aging parents, children being home from school, parents working from home and the list goes on. As believers, we need to run to them and not away from them to offer a message of hope. God will minister through you as you reach out to your neighbors. He has already gone before you.
That’s my view from my backyard!
Wayne Smith
