Nov
9
2010
Love your neighbor as yourself
This is actually a “guest post” I was asked to write for the
Buckhead Church blog. I figured I should repost here as well.
Over the last few months, I’ve come to realize that serving is one of those things Jesus expects of us. It’s our duty as followers to give Him glory through our time, money and talents.
That’s why I was really excited when Buckhead announced the
howtoberich.org campaign. As Christ creates this servant’s heart inside me, he also gives a desire to push outside my comfort zone. When the site went live, I was like a kid in a candy shop, signing up for things. My family eagerly committed to several family-friendly opportunities, since we believe it’s crucial that our children (Ruby, 9, Wilder, 7) witness “serving in action.”
Our first opportunity came up several weeks ago. We assisted
SafeHouse Outreach, led by Joe McCutchen, in throwing a Harvest Block Party for children living in Atlanta’s Deerfield apartment complex. When we first arrived, volunteers outnumbered the kids 4 to 1. My own children manned the hula-hooping station, awaiting new friends to join them. And soon enough, as the music started playing, kids began pouring out of the apartments around us.
From that first moment, the obvious lesson for us lay in these kids’ attitude. They were full of joy! We may have gone into this experience with uncertainty, but the children’s gracious spirits were totally contagious. They were so grateful for the fun party SafeHouse was throwing, and each loving action we invested in them, felt like a rich reward in itself.
We cheered these kids on, whether they were drawing with chalk, jump roping, or competing at hula-hooping. It was heart-warming to witness my own children playing alongside children they’d just met, and thinking they are ALL children of God. Their circumstances might be different at home, but Jesus loves each and every one of them. Seeing all their eyes light up, when Joe ended the party by teaching John 3:16, was priceless. My heart overflowed.
On the drive home, my wife and I talked about how these kids at Deerfield just craved some good one-on-one time. They longed for praise and love. We cringed when we realized that we give love so easily to our own children, family and friends, but sometimes fall short when it comes to loving others who are outside our norm. I’m just so thankful Buckhead offered up opportunities like this one, so that we can all experience how gracious our God really is.
The Block Party may have lasted only a few hours, but it was worth much more than a typical sports-filled Saturday or an afternoon working in the yard. It was investment in the Spirit, as we served alongside other Followers of Christ, doing His will.
Personally, I hope I can continue to be an example to my own children, in how to be humble, how to serve others – both young and old, and how to really love thy neighbor.
Mark 12:31: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
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