What “loving your neighbor” is not

 


I get a daily Google Alert by email with links to stories, articles, and videos that use the phrase "Love Your Neighbor." Skimming those links shows hundreds, if not thousands, of examples of what that phrase is not.

First, "love your neighbor" is not a political weapon.

A popular weaponization of the phrase is to claim a particular politician is not true to their values because they are not approving of a policy that others have determined represents the action of "loving your neighbor." You can lump many of today's hot-button political topics in this category. But loving your neighbor is not a phrase about political policy. 

Second, "love your neighbor" is not a yardstick you use to determine how others measure up.

Very clearly, the statement is personal and demands an answer to this question: how do YOU love your neighbors? I see in other articles the author's finger-pointing at others. But, loving your neighbor is not a phrase meant to tear down other people. 

Third, "loving your neighbor" is not a passive idea. 

Loving your neighbor requires more than lip service. Anyone can say they love their neighbors behind closed doors. Most anyone can even claim it as a motto. But loving your neighbor requires action. It requires you to be active in loving, not stationary. Loving your neighbor is not a passive phrase, it is active. 

Fourth, you are not the final judge of whether or not you love your neighbor.

I see many posted stories wanting exclusive rights to this phrase to promote an event or sell things. But the statement pre-dates each of us, and we do not get to define it. If we did, we would be nice to our friends and claim them all as neighbors. Instead, this phrase requires us to get uncomfortable with people that live around us, not just the ones we already like. But, loving your neighbor is not something you get to judge, but something others see based on your actions.  

"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable." - C.S. Lewis, Four Loves

Remember what loving your neighbor is not, and then get busy thinking of others and being vulnerable in your efforts to love them! Loving requires action and today is a great day to start.

###

Does this article make you interested in taking the Engaged Neighbor pledge? Five categories and 20 principles to guide you toward becoming an engaged neighbor. Sign the pledge online at http://engagedneighbor.com.

Contact the blog author, David L. Burton at dburton541@yahoo.com.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MU Extension Announces Show Me Neighborhood Art Week June 1-15

Image
  To participate in Show Me Neighborhood Art Week, Missourians  must register here online . The registration deadline for Show Me Neighborhood Art Week is May 24. Preexisting and new public art can be registered, but only new art can be considered for prizes. The location for this event is ALL of Missouri -- your front yard, your neighborhood, and your community. The online state map marking locations around Missouri will be interactive. If you have questions, please see the contact emails at the end of this blog. SPRINGFIELD, MO. -  University of Missouri Extension has announced the launch of a new statewide public art exhibit called Show Me Neighborhood Art Week. This outreach program strives to promote creative expression and public art made by residents, regardless of their skill level, as a contribution to the community's sense of place and residents' sense of belonging. The initiative was inspired by LAWN (Lawn Art With Neighbors), a grassroots program launched in Springf
Read more

ABCD Training for Neighborhood and Homeowner Leaders

Image
  Free Training for Neighborhood and HOA Leaders  We are excited to announce that Community Partnership of the Ozarks and University of Missouri Extension are hosting Jennifer Prophete from The Hopeful Neighborhood Project.  She will be teaching a workshop that equips neighborhood (and homeowner) association board members and leaders to develop their community through the perspective of asset-based community development (ABCD).  The training is set for 9 a.m. to 12 noon on March 16 at the Dream Center, 829 W Atlantic St., Springfield, Mo. The doors open at 8:30 a.m. and breakfast is going to be provided. If you are a leader in a neighborhood or homeowners association in or near Springfield, please join us for this free and educational event on March 16th.   To register, please email Dylan Millikin at dmillikin@cpozarks.org or call (417) 888-2020, Ext 128. MORE INFORMATION Does this article make you interested in taking the  Engaged Neighbor pledge ? Five categories and 20 principles to
Read more

12 Missourians Named Most Engaged Neighbors for 2023

Image
  SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Twelve Missourians have been chosen for statewide recognition as “Missouri’s Most Engaged Neighbor” for 2023 as part of the planned activities for Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept. 28 to Oct. 4). Sixty-two people were nominated for recognition as one of Missouri's most engaged neighbors. Each of them received an acknowledgment letter and gift by mail. “Honestly the plan was to honor ten, but we couldn’t get to that number,” said Jennifer Prophete, coordinator of The Hopeful Neighborhood Project. “I thought the nominations this year were great from one to sixty-two.” “We were excited to see two Missouri towns, Seymour and Webster Groves, collect their own nominations and honor engaged neighbors during the week,” said David Burton, a University of Missouri Extension community development specialist. “It would be great to see other cities do something similar next year. We must celebrate and recognize neighborly behavior.” These statewide awards are provi
Read more