Dear First Pres,
“Loving Neighbors”
This is the second part of our fourfold mission statement. (Loving God, Loving Neighbors, Making Disciples, Pursuing Shalom) It harkens back to Jesus’ answer to the expert of the law who asked Him about the greatest commandment. Jesus replied, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40).
All of us are called, through the gracious power of the Holy Spirit, to love our neighbors. But I was especially encouraged this week by the way some of our church elders are living this out in their neighborhoods.
The Whitneys and the Hansons, who both live in the Fresno High area, are working together to host a simple front yard kids playgroup for church friends and non-church neighbors. While the kids play and get to know one another, the parents connect too. New relationships are forming that will enhance the neighborhood while also providing the opportunity to share the love of Christ through friendship and service.
The Aguilars felt stirred to host their neighbors in a different way. They recently invited several neighbors over for a Soup Night. These cooler evenings provide the perfect environment for a warm cup of soup, but the soup was just a part of a larger warm welcome that they provided. It must have been beautiful to see neighbors from all walks of life enjoying a simple meal together.
The Franklins have made a tradition on Halloween of using their cul-de-sac as a destination. They set up a fire pit and all the makings for s’mores and hot cocoa. Over the years, neighbors have learned that it’s a great place to finish their evening of doorbell ringing.
Thank you so much, Whitneys, Hansons, Augilars, and Franklins for leading the way. Each of these are wonderful, and pretty simple, ways of entering into the work and joy of loving neighbors. Each of them are the kind of things that make neighborhoods better. And each of them provide wonderful opportunities to build authentic relationships with folks who are not following Jesus. These kinds of authentic relationships are so good for us because they remind us of God’s incredible grace to reveal Himself to us. They keep us in touch with the reality that so many in our city don’t really know the grace of Jesus. They keep us on our toes for spiritual conversations. And, they stir an even deeper dependence on the Holy Spirit to use our small, simple, faith-filled actions for His Kingdom to come in Fresno as it is in heaven.
So, as Thanksgiving and Christmas are approaching, how might the Lord be stirring you in the joy and work of loving neighbors? If you haven’t already, I encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to show you what small, simple, faith-filled actions you can take to be loving your neighbors.
Blessings,
Pastor Jeremy
Posted by
