This week is all about being great neighbours, particularly by showing compassion.  But what does it look like to show compassion for our neighbours?

Start at the beginning of this series.  We started with knowing names, then learning stories as acquaintances.  Those two things help us to know the needs of our neighbours.  Then we can find ways to help – near or far.

When someone near you has a new baby, we know they’ll be hungry and having a hard time cooking – maybe you can feed them for a day.  Or further from home, perhaps you can donate to the food banks at the Salvation Army or St. Paul’s on the Hill in Pickering.

When you walk by a homeless person in a heatwave, they are probably thirsty, perhaps you can offer to buy them a bottle of Gatorade or water.  Sit down with them as they drink it.  Or further from home, perhaps you can support water well drilling abroad.

When we see someone lonely in a room, standing alone, we can at least introduce ourselves, and help them get acquainted.  Or when someone moves to the neighbourhood, welcome them!  Further afield, maybe you can volunteer with a local service to immigrants, or an ESL class.

When we know someone can’t afford new clothes that fit, we can share our own, or go on a Value Village spree with them.  Or if you have clothes but don’t know who needs them, don’t wait for a garage sale, instead donate them to the Goodwill or Salvation Army thrift shop.

When someone is going through cancer treatment, or another illness, perhaps we can shovel or cut grass.  Or if you don’t know someone personally, the Cancer Society always needs volunteers who can drive people to appointments.

Finally, if you know someone in prison, perhaps you can visit them and make it clear you care for them as a human being loved by God.  Or if you don’t know someone in that situation, you could support a prison fellowship or another ministry to those who are incarcerated.

Whatever you start with, it’s a part of our calling as followers of Jesus to recognize his beloved creatures in trouble and show compassion.

It’s not about earning some reward – it’s simply part of kingdomliness, which is a reward in and of itself.

Challenge: In yesterday’s exercise, who of these six people in need did you say was hardest and easiest to show compassion for?  Plan a practical way to help the needs of both this week – either directly to someone near you, or indirectly as we’ve suggested.

Ryan Sim - October 7, 2013

Monday - A New Idea - Partners To Friends

Last week, I told you story of my old neighbour who helped build a deck. He nicely represented the transition from strangers to neighbours to acquaintances to partners. Today we’ll go one step further. We’ll talk about becoming friends with those we work with, those we help, and those we live around. When I was a volunteer paramedic, I remember one partner in particular. We did several shifts together, and on calls he was always nervous, and second-guessing himself, which could be challenging to work with. One day, he invited me to supper. I met his family, saw his home and farm, and in the process learned about him and his values. The next shift we had together was different. I found we could communicate better, and I could anticipate his moves. Debriefing the call afterwards was easier. I knew this quirks, where they came from, and could work from a place of partnership and friendship rather than tolerance. This has wider application than the workplace, but some good examples of how important this is follow from a few studies: 50 percent of employees with a best friend at work reported that they feel a strong connection with their company, compared to just 10 percent of employees without a best friend at work. (A 2012 Gallup report which found that) People planning to stick with their current job cited “good relationship with co-workers” as the major reason (67%) – above “job satisfaction” (63%), “flexible working arrangements” (57%) and even salary (which ranked seventh at 46%). A 2013 survey of 2,223 business people across Australia In the same way, being a follower of Jesus isn’t just about doing transactions, like dealing with other followers of Jesus because you have to, or caring for others in need simply because it looks good. We’re actually meant to become friends with those we care for, and those we care with. Not every single one to the same degree maybe, but we are actually meant to have a relationship with those we encounter in this life, and not simply use people or tolerate others. We’ll focus this week on those we care for, those we’ve been talking about all along, and becoming friends. Question: When have you unexpectedly “hit it off” with someone at work?

From Series: "Won't You Be My Neighbour?"

Discuss

More From "Won't You Be My Neighbour?"

Powered by Series Engine