Who is my Neighbour?

Who is my Neighbour?

We often resist small changes out of fear that we may completely be transformed. Employees deny they know how to do a task out of fear that all the work will be dumped on them. Parents sometimes say no to children out of ear that giving into one request may end up giving up all. We refuse to give up what is rightfully ours out of fear that in the end we may have o rights. Our nations create immigration laws out of fear that the foreigners may outnumber and take away everything that belongs to us.

We, in local congregations, are not inclusive of the newcomers as we fear that they may take our places and influences. We refuse to forgive in small instances out of fear that in the end we may be asked to forgive bigger issues. We look the other way, when a beggar comes to us, out of fear that we may be asked to give more than what we want to give. Fear rules our lives, not the sovereign God.

The scripture teaches us a principle that runs counter culture to our assumptions. “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.” (Isaiah 54: 2)

We are called to create more space in our lives so that we can be inclusive of others and share our resources with others. We should not be afraid of growth and maturity as it s good for us. We should not fear in giving what is ours to others. Freely have we received and freely we should give.

We should make space in our everyday lives to reach put to communities among whom we live. The parable of the Good Samaritan told in response to the question, “Who is my neighbour?” is a challenge for us to stretch our minds and imagination to be inclusive serving the community in our everyday walk of life.

We welcome you to join hands with Interserve as we serve communities in our neighbourhoods. John Amalraj

October-December 2013, Issue 3, INFOCUS, Interserve India

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