Love My Neighbor? How?
I said I’d post a final blog on the idea of righteous anger. I wrote it, but ditched it. It was too long, repetitious of previous posts, and was also not as clear as I’d like. Maybe later, but I need to let it settle. If you were looking forward to it, please forgive me.
Instead, I’d like share something I learned from Hudson, my 4-year-old grandson.
Hudson has three siblings that range from 2 to 8 years old. Their home is the gathering place for neighborhood children. They generally welcome whoever comes and offer supervision to keep things from getting out of hand.
As a general rule, the neighbor girls are nice and respectable, but some boys in the 6 to 9-year-old range are wild and raucous. They take over the swing set or toys, playing among themselves, while paying little attention to the younger children.
In response, until the parents join the action and create a game for all, the younger ones withdraw, overwhelmed by older, domineering children.
Hudson and his mom were talking one morning after the boys had been over the previous evening. The neighbors were mentioned, and Hudson said, “I hate our neighbors.”
His mother replied, “It’s not good to hate anybody. Jesus tells us to love our neighbors.”
Hudson’s brow furrowed as he considered that unhappy news. Finally, with resolution he said, “I love ‘em when dey’re in dem houses.”
When “dey are in dem houses,” they’re not dominating his yard and toys. Thus, they’re much easier to love.
I can identify. I’ve known some people that I’ve loved more when I didn’t have to deal with them. But, unlike a 4-year-old, I didn’t admit it out loud.
Twice recently, I also listened to adult rant about friends they could no longer tolerate. Separately, they went through a list of why they would be happy if they never saw them again. Both sprinkled their words of complaint with, “I love him better than myself, but . . .”
Loving our neighbors is not always easy.
Jesus told us to love our neighbor as ourselves. He didn’t give us an option or say to love them if they’re nice and treat us kindly—or when they stay in their house. In fact, He didn’t give us any exceptions to the rule. Furthermore, He called it a commandment.
But how do you love people who act like raucous, domineering 9-year-olds? Or deliberate bullies. Or those who try to force their agenda or ideology on you? Or act like they’re always right and insist on their way every time. Then there are the takers, who drain you of virtue. The list goes on. Some people are hard to love.
The natural response is to retreat or to fight for your own way. Often, we no longer try to get along. In political circles, it seems we’ve given up seeking to peacefully co-exist. If there are differing opinions, instead of trying to work out a compromise, the discussion quickly turns to blaming and name-calling.
Thanks to Hudson, I think I figured out why. Instead of seeking a solution, we’re trying to force our opponents to stay in their houses. Then we could love them and have peace too!
Except it isn’t working. There is no peace. It seems we need to get back to foundations and learn to do it Jesus’ way.
He gave the command to love our neighbors. He also gave an example.
When we were wild and raucous, demanding our way, Jesus gave His life for us. He died on a cross so we could be part of His family. We can sit at His table, in His house, and be joint heirs with Him.
Furthermore, if we join His family, He promised to stay with us always.
The problem remains. How do I love the bullies in my yard with that kind of love?
How? We lean on Jesus.
If we surrender to Jesus Christ, He’ll love them through us. That’s the only way we’ll ever learn to love the big kids that try to run us over in our yard.
At least that’s true for me. I’m like Hudson. It’s much easier to love “em when dey’re in dem houses.” I’m glad it isn’t all up to me.
While surrounded by Spring, bunnies, eggs, and new clothes, it’s a good time to take note of the sacrifice of Jesus’ love for us—and to follow His lead. Sometimes, just to love our neighbor requires that we take up the cross as He did for us.
We need to do so every day. But I’m glad we don’t have to do it alone.