“My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and
just as I told the people, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot
come. A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so
you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13: 33-35)
Love one another – that’s easy. As long as you root for my team, vote for my candidate, or go to my church. But, what if you don’t cheer, vote or worship like I do?
How do I love my neighbor? Not as well as I’d like. But lately, I’ve tried to be more focused on the following:
Everyone is part of Creation – an equal part.
Everyone has a story to tell. Just because it isn’t my story, doesn’t mean is not meaningful. I need to listen to them with attention.
Most people are worse off than I am. I was born into and have a wonderful, supportive family. I have been relatively healthy and economically comfortable. I didn’t “deserve” that. I need to do my part to make their life better.
But, who is my neighbor? Only a few people are given to me by my God. Not that I don’t love all of Creation, but, my God has brought certain people into my life with a clear understanding that I am to be more intimately involved in their lives and they in mine. I can feel grief for the child in Africa stricken with malaria; but not to the same extent that I can grieve over one of my children, grandchildren or god-children. I can empathize with the people of New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy; but not with the intimacy that I can feel for those who have suffered on the Outer Banks. It is not that these “other” people are less important or less deserving; it is simply that they have not been chosen for me. It is important for me to listen to my God and appreciate this dynamic.
Gary Kimmel
Love one another – that’s easy. As long as you root for my team, vote for my candidate, or go to my church. But, what if you don’t cheer, vote or worship like I do?
How do I love my neighbor? Not as well as I’d like. But lately, I’ve tried to be more focused on the following:
Everyone is part of Creation – an equal part.
Everyone has a story to tell. Just because it isn’t my story, doesn’t mean is not meaningful. I need to listen to them with attention.
Most people are worse off than I am. I was born into and have a wonderful, supportive family. I have been relatively healthy and economically comfortable. I didn’t “deserve” that. I need to do my part to make their life better.
But, who is my neighbor? Only a few people are given to me by my God. Not that I don’t love all of Creation, but, my God has brought certain people into my life with a clear understanding that I am to be more intimately involved in their lives and they in mine. I can feel grief for the child in Africa stricken with malaria; but not to the same extent that I can grieve over one of my children, grandchildren or god-children. I can empathize with the people of New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy; but not with the intimacy that I can feel for those who have suffered on the Outer Banks. It is not that these “other” people are less important or less deserving; it is simply that they have not been chosen for me. It is important for me to listen to my God and appreciate this dynamic.
Gary Kimmel
No comments:
Post a Comment