Defining My Neighbor

Defining my Neighbor
by Jason Cruise

Not long ago a friend of mine had a situation that crossed his path. While is surely was a good opportunity to intervene in the lives of people in need, that doesn't mean that you should respond to every single opportunity, for unmet needs are everywhere you look. Even Jesus didn't respond to every single need. 

My brother brought up a solid question, one which I've stared at many times in hopes of finding an answer. He asked "What is the will of God for me in this situation? That's what I cannot quite determine."

As we began to work through all the mechanics that made this issue truly difficult, we began to see clearly that the real question was, "What does loved demand?" When Jesus said, "love your neighbor as yourself" He meant it. 

The problem, at least for me anyway, is trying to determine exactly who is my neighbor? Is it my business network, my actual neighbor Kevin and his family, or is it someone in India I've never met? In today's world, you may be in a tighter relationship to someone you work with four states away, yet talk with every week, while not even knowing the name of someone who lives four houses down the street.

Who is my neighbor?

I am fully convinced that Jesus does not hold me responsible for everyone in the world. People will die tonight in Budapest whom I've never met. I am not responsible for them. 

I am responsible for those whom God puts in my path. My neighbor Kevin is in my path. My business colleagues are in my path, and occasionally, as in the case of my friend who stoked this question once again in my heart, yes, occasionally, God puts someone in my path whom I cannot overlook. I cannot walk around them. I cannot step over them as if they are not there. I know they are there, and I am forced to deal with it, for God has put them there. I must walk to them ... because love demands it.

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