Between Stranger and Neighbor
Sometimes it feels like we’re all strangers, doesn’t it? Busily going about whatever “the thing” is that we’re supposed to be accomplishing at that moment in time. Society seems to place a high value on achievement. On doing more, earning more, on (-insert your favorite shallow thing here-) more. In the bustle, human connection gets lost. When human connection gets lost, the ugly side of humans bubbles up, and humanity suffers.
Jesus called upon us as Christians to ‘love thy neighbor’. I’m pretty sure there weren’t any restrictions involved with that; it wasn’t ‘love thy neighbor who shares your views’ or ‘love thy neighbor as long as they look like you’. The way I see it, all humans on this planet are neighbors in a way. In the crazy times we’re living in, I think God is calling on us to love ALL of our neighbors and do so loudly. Loudly enough to drown out the negativity, division, hatred and fear that feels so rampant. Share a smile, sing a song, do a small act of kindness for someone random. Love thy neighbor. Love God. Share God’s love. Heal our world.
Prayer: Loving God, thank you for showing us what unconditional love feels and looks like. Help me today to radiate your unwavering, radical love into the world. Amen
Gretta Steinbruner