Day 8: To Love My Community

I am an introvert. Though my personality can’t be an excuse for failing to love and connect with people, I do have my challenges. It took a pandemic for me to move beyond my introversion to connect with people in my neighborhood.

Though it may seem unlikely I would overcome my worst introversion tendencies during a pandemic, it really did happen. When the quarantine first took effect, most of us in the neighborhood became restless after sitting at home for days. And like many of my neighbors, I decided to take walks almost every day.

Looking back, it seems surreal. Our streets don’t typically have many walkers, but they were flooded with people desiring to see something other than their interior walls. I also remember how we kept our masks on and maintained six feet of separation between us.

Despite the social distancing and the masks, my neighbors and I talked each day as we walked the same streets. I got to know my neighbors better. And like most situations when we see other people face-to-face, even with our faces covered, we learn to appreciate each other more.

I had numerous opportunities to speak about my faith during those walks. The conversations were never forced or awkward. My neighbors and I felt comfortable talking about the things that mattered to us as we grew more appreciative of each other.

I realized I was learning to love my neighbors.

LOVING YOUR NEIGHBOR TO LOVE YOUR COMMUNITY

An expert in religious law asked Jesus the most important question:

“Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” The man answered, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

But the man wanted deeper details, so he challenged Jesus: “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29). That was the question that led Jesus to tell the parable of the Good Samaritan. In the famous story, Jesus reminds us that the word neighbor is broad and inclusive. It particularly applies to people we may regard as unlikeable or even as enemies.

As a consequence of this parable, an entire genre has developed, expounding on the concept of being a good neighbor. And as the parable points out, “our neighbor” includes everyone who lives in close proximity to us, whether we feel a sense of affinity with them or not. This includes people on both sides of the tracks—from the tree-lined streets to the apartment complexes, and those living along the roads in rural communities.

On Day 8 of this thirty-day challenge, we are praying for our communities. Start by praying for those who live in closest proximity to you and expand your vision as the Holy Spirit leads you.

To become Great Commission Christians, we must reach our Jerusalem. We must reach our communities. And we begin by praying for our neighbors.

If you’re like me, you may barely know some of the people on your street or in your neighborhood. Now is the time to pray for opportunities to meet them and talk with them. It took a pandemic for me to get to know my neighbors better, but you can find more subtle ways to connect with them.

Your community begins with your neighbors. Pray for them.

PRAY FOR YOUR DEMOGRAPHIC COMMUNITY

Your demographic community is the place of your home address. For my wife and me, it is Franklin, Tennessee. Your church is located in a demographic community. Your church’s address is no accident. God put your church where it is to be a gospel presence in that community.

I realized not too long ago that I didn’t often pray specifically for Franklin. That omission has been rectified. I now pray for my community regularly. If you are praying for the people in a specific place, it is likely you will learn to love the place and the people more. And if you love them more, the love of Christ will be evident in your interactions in your community.

During the pandemic, I closed my offices and started working from home. Most of the employees of my company, Church Answers, are scattered throughout the United States (and a couple in other countries), so I did not think I needed an office beyond my own home.

For a number of reasons, however, I made the decision to return to an office. One of those reasons was my desire to connect with other workers in Franklin. Now my office is right downtown on Main Street. I am getting to know people better every day. That move has also helped me love and pray for my community more.

PRAY FOR THE LEADERS AND MERCHANTS IN YOUR COMMUNITY

On Day 11, you will be encouraged to write a note to someone in your community. It could be as simple as a word of encouragement. It might also be a note that lets them know you’ve prayed for them.

Today, I’m asking you to pray for one or more people specifically in your community. Consider praying for some of the leaders. Leaders in most communities face challenges every day. They face critics. You may need to look up a city directory online to see who your political leaders are. Or you can look up the law enforcement officials or other first responders. These are all opportunities to pray for your community leaders.

If you have access to a local community publication, look for stories about people in your community. Almost every day, I come across a story about a key leader or person in Franklin. It’s a reminder to me that I need to be praying for those people.

As a typical introvert, I become more comfortable with people as I see them more often and get to know them better. I make a point to get my hair cut by the same person and to use the same handyman regularly. My handyman is now a good friend because my wife has asked me often enough to call him before I mess something up.

I even use a grocery delivery service (a classic introvert’s choice) where I can choose the same shopper every time.

I have come to know and even love these friends and merchants in the community. I am thus reminded to pray for them more consistently.

PRAY FOR POINTS OF PAIN AND PEOPLE IN PAIN

Every community has some type of deep and identifiable need. For some it is drug addiction and the common corollary of homelessness. For some it is teen suicide. For some it is major unemployment. For some it is the breakdown of relationships in our homes and schools.

Every community has a deep need, and every deep need has faces and people connected to it. As you pray for your community, take time to discover those needs. Something as simple as reading a local publication will probably suffice. Pray for the needs you see, and for the people affected by those needs.

On Day 8 we are seeking to love our communities more deeply and more personally. As we love our communities, we are compelled to pray for them more. And as we pray for them more, we learn to love them more.

Pause for a few moments and show love for your community by praying for it. Use the suggestions on these pages or add your own. You certainly know your community better than I do. Take time to pray for your home community right now.