Have you ever thought about why you are where you are? I’m referring to your physical location, in particular, your residence. Is there any connection between your faith and your home address?

When Jesus was asked to identify the most important thing in life, what did he say? Love God, and love your neighbor.

Which should cause us to pause and consider exactly what that would look like.

If love is an action (vs. an emotion) that is undertaken for the best interest of the one loved, then what would it look like to love your neighbor? More unsettling is this question: do you live your life as though that’s the most important thing? I know I don’t.

Lately I’ve been contemplating this, and trying to figure out how to make “the main thing the main thing.” I’m not there yet. Maybe you’re not, either. But one thing I know for sure, it HAS to include praying for the people who live closest to me. Including those who rub me the wrong way, those who don’t act like “good neighbors,” those who don’t seem to care about anyone else, and those who have different political views, etc.

It has to go well beyond prayer. But it has to include that, too.

What would it look like for you to keep this as the main thing?

Here’s Jesus’ comment about this:

He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Luke 10:27)

Imagine sitting down at your home with Jesus, sharing a cup of coffee (or tea). Then Jesus turns to you and says, “Hey, would you do me a favor? Just one thing? Here’s what I’d like you to do: love your neighbors.”

Your neighbors are different than mine. And you’re different than me. So loving them is going to look different. But keeping this the main thing looks pretty much the same.

I’d love to hear your ideas on how you are learning to love your neighbor. Feel free to add your comments below.

-Pastor Mark