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As I was driving to the grocery store there were three young girls walking towards their destination. There age range was between 12-15. These young girls caught my attention as they were full of smiles and laughter. In the short amount of time that I crossed their path a random thought came to mind; “Love Thy Neighbor”.  In that moment these girls displayed this sentiment.

The world’s temperature is so up and down.  On one channel you see how neighbors are rallying together to get through the horrific tornadoes that occurred throughout Kentucky. Change the channel and there is a scene in which cops were called to where 4 teenagers were shot.  2 died and the other two are in critical condition. 

The community is in an uproar regarding the repeatedly gun violence and the lack thereof for community safety. Is it me or does it feel like we are existing amongst one another vs. communing with each other. In this climate it does beg the question. How are you illustrating “love thy neighbor?” I am mostly referring to those moments when there is a disruption.

For example when that person cuts you off in traffic or jumps ahead of the line at the carnival? It’s almost instinctive to react in an unpleasant manner. For some, it’s easier to not be nice. It’s harder to be kind when someone has hurt you. In other words, it’s easier to give someone a piece of your mind vs. responding with love and kindness.

I feel like Joseph was an example of the latter.  Joseph faced all kinds of temptations and problems of a hostile environment. I mean his father doted on him and that in and of itself created 10 jealous brothers. In addition, Joseph had a dream (I’m summarizing here) that everything bowed and his role was above his entire family.  

No matter Joseph’s circumstance or how people treated him, he continued to be his best self. Joseph exhibited a “Love thy neighbor” mentality was he forgave the same brothers who sold him into slavery. Joseph provided for his family when there was a severe famine in the nation. Matthew 22: 37-39 says, “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 great commandment.  And they second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”

In reading this passage a few questions come to mind:

-How is your neighbor? This could be your co-worker, a random person in need, and etc.

-Does “neighbor” include your enemies? I’m afraid so Ma’am/Sir. Matthew 5:44 says, “But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you.”

-If God’s first commandment is to love him with all your heart, how is it that you are struggling to love your neighbor? If we love the Lord God with all our heart, soul, and mind, loving our neighbor is the natural result of the first action. Could it be you are struggling to love your neighbor because you struggle to love God?

Well, there is a simple remedy for that.  Get to know Jesus Christ.  We can only love our neighbor by tapping into the supernatural power that only God through Christ can provide. Loving your neighbor is simply respecting others and regarding their needs as highly as we regard our own.  If each of us does our part, the world’s temperature wouldn’t fluctuate like it does.

We would live John 1:14 that says, “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.  We say the glory with our own eyes, the one of a kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish. If you want to move past unforgiveness, but not sure how click Life Coach today.

Ease & Stillness,

Chetoca B.