What defines a community? Is it the people on your block? Is the people in your church? Is it the people you work with? Is it the people you have things in common with?
While these descriptions may be a component to your community, they in no way shape or form define it.
Community is deeper than proximity and identification. Community implies an exchange. An exchange of mercy. Reading Luke 10:25-37 is encouraged now.
‘Which of these…do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?’ – Jesus ‘The one who showed him mercy’ – The Lawyer ’Go and do likewise’ – Jesus Luke 10:36-37
Isn’t interesting that this conversation is between Jesus and a Lawyer? One could imagine the Lawyer was looking for a clearly observable, measurable, and quantifiable answer. Something he could prove, or distort, to his advantage. We thrive on these boundaries, don’t we?
Because, what is quantifiable, is avoidable. We can easily rearrange the equation. If a neighbor is based on proximity, we can relocate according to our desire. However, to Jesus, being a neighbor, requires being inconvenienced. It requires giving. It requires going out of your way. It requires serving another before yourself. In this exchange, a connection is birthed, that dwarfs those defined by proximity.
Anybody can look to the left or to the right. But who is willing to blur the lines of proximity and action, and be a neighbor? The community depends on it.
Go, and Do Likewise.
