Won’t You Be My Neighbor?Намуна

Another way that we can be good neighbors in this season is to be available always, not just when it is convenient for us. God has placed us on Earth, in this time, for a specific purpose. It is not a coincidence that we are here during this difficult season, because as followers of Christ, we are called to be a light in a dark place. God has placed people around us who are in our direct vicinity, so that we can be a light and a help to them. There may be some people who only experience Jesus through their encounter with you. Right now in our world, Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) are crying out because of the pain and trauma of racism that has been occurring for years. No one wants to be alone in their pain, and often that is why they cry out. But the promise of God is that if we humble ourselves and turn to God from these old, oppressive ways, He will be faithful to meet us right here, and He will heal our land. One way we can start to do this is by becoming allies and anti-racists. When we have empathy first and give our opinions second, or maybe not at all, we begin the process of becoming good neighbors. 

Questions:

• Is there someone in your world who is crying out in pain? How can you come alongside them and encourage, comfort, and listen to their experience?
• Take inventory of your spirit. Do you often give your opinion before your empathy? How can you take steps to practice empathy today?