ON REFLECTION
OUR local shop has a good sign on the door. It says: You’re not just customers, you’re our neighbours!
While the shop isn’t that big, it’s really well stocked.
You’ll get your milk and bread plus fresh fruit and veg, and something tasty for tea as well.
With fair-priced petrol on the forecourt, our wee shop has just about everything you’d need!
But it’s more than just material things. It’s a real social hub where folk recognise and ask after each other.
It’s a friendly smile, a bit of light-hearted banter, a helping hand if needed.
The idea that human beings should be nice to each other is something Western society has taken for granted for centuries.
But this attitude of good neighbourliness didn’t just happen on its own.
It came from somewhere – the Bible.
Way back in ancient times, the world was a harsh, cruel place where slavery and abuse were a part of normal life.
Life was fine if you were wealthy, but could be brutal if not.
It was a struggle and very much a survival of the fittest.
The Ten Commandments given in Moses’s day went some distance to limiting conflict, giving guidelines and a system of justice for a safe, ordered society.
Slowly people began to realise it wasn’t OK to steal, murder or commit adultery.
People were to show respect and consideration to others.
In his famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus set the bar even higher, teaching that we should love one another, even enemies!
We should not only practise firm self control and modest generosity, but we should also forgive, releasing ourselves and the community from bitterness.
It was radical teaching, which he embodied as he healed and fed countless strangers, washed his disciples’ feet and prayed for his executioners.
What an example he set – inspiring millions worldwide still today!
Another famous story in the Gospels saw Jesus being questioned about good neighbourliness.
We get the feeling the person wanted to get away with as little charity as possible!
In response, Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan, a socially uncomfortable tale of someone who received generous help from an unexpected source.
It’s difficult to argue with kindness!
Traditional enemies can become neighbours and even friends when we take heed and seek to practise the same kind of compassion as Jesus.
So give someone a friendly smile in your local town today!
Let’s look for chances to bless others with a little good neighbourliness.
And to Jesus our inspiration be the glory!