The Next Door Neighbours

Our next door neighbours are going through some tough times. Something happened within their family that’s very public, and a little embarrassing. None of the stuff is their fault, but they’re left to pick up and move on.

I wish I knew what I should do to reach out to them.

As I was looking to God asking Him what part we’re supposed to play in the lives of our neighbours a troubling thought came to me. Kelly and I were always friendly and polite, but we never really did anything out of the ordinary to reach out to them.

We never went out of our way to get to know them. We never made real steps to build a relationship with them. I threw the football around with their boy a few times. We had them over to see Ethan and Madisyn when they were first born. But the truth is we were passive neighbours.

Had we been more aggressive in building relationships with them maybe we would better know how to display the love of Christ now. In some ways it’s a little awkward to rush over and try to “stand in the gap” now. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying we shouldn’t, it just seems more complicated. If we get involved are they thinking “you never cared about us until we became some sort of project to you”.

I don’t see anything in the Bible that says passive Christianity is the way to go. I’m confident you won’t find a single verse which even suggests we should be passive Christians.

We need to live as aggressive Christians. Maybe aggressive isn’t the best word, but do you understand what I mean? We need to act with purpose! From how we interact with our next door neighbours to how we talk to the girl behind the counter at Tim Hortons. We never know what they’re going through, or what God has planned for them in the near future.

Don’t misunderstand me, I don’t think it’s right to treat people as though they are projects either. I’m saying we need to reach out to them in genuine love. Intentionally seeking out a way to show to them the love of Christ.

I’m not going to hide my head in the sand with our neighbours because I “missed the boat”. I’m asking God to provide opportunities. I’m praying He’ll give me wisdom, which I need. I also hope this has taught me a lesson.

The people God brings into our lives are there for a purpose. Our task is to intentionally reach out and care for them.

Last night, after a meeting at the Legion, I went down stairs to the bar with some people I use to work with who have been laid off. This is something I wouldn’t normally do... and I’m not suggesting you do it either! It was a little uncomfortable. I sat with them around the table and talked about their struggles, the “old” days, and the bleak future.

I didn’t witness or preach. I tried to listen, talk, and laugh along. I hope, in some small way, this was my first step in applying the lesson I learned from my inactiveness with my next door neighbours.