“For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. 1 Corinthians 3:9 (NIV)

Reach

Standing at the corner of my house, I can almost reach out and touch our church. Yes, my next door neighbor is my church.  Our lawns connect. The church parking lot serves as a safe place for my grandsons to play and our driveway provides extra parking support when there’s more need than the lot can handle.

I love living side by side with my church! With just a few steps I can find myself within the walls of God’s house: a sanctuary of worship, a haven of peace, and an atmosphere of prayer. My close proximity also allows me to lend a helping hand to those who come and go (not that I’m THAT kind of neighbor who watches out the window, or….maybe I am!). And when we’re lacking something at the church, I can just run over and gather what we need from what I have at home.

Pondering what it means to have the church so close to me, I’ve realized that we are to be the church next door to those living around us, too!

“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” Galatians 5:13-14 (NLT)

” ‘Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?’ Jesus asked. The man replied, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Then Jesus said, ‘Yes, now go and do the same.’ ” Luke 10:36-37 (NLT)

To share love and mercy, we must first reach out to others, finding ways to connect with them. We need to ready ourselves to offer a safe place and extra support when another’s life feels like more than they can handle. As we walk side by side with our brothers and sisters, our lives should be open doors leading them to God through our words and actions. Being close also allows us to be on the watch for ways we can reach out a helping hand and fulfill a lack or need.  Yes, we are the church to our neighbor and maybe the only church they will see. Let’s do everything we can to be sure they love living alongside us, too!

“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or place to stay. God has given each one of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.  Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.”
 1 Peter 4:8-11 (NLT)

This post is written as part of the 31 Days of Five Minute Friday Free Writes Challenge. You can read posts from other writers on the same topics over at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com I hope you know that I so appreciate you being here! God bless, Cindy