Wanted: Available Neighbor
A reading for Monday, March 6, 2017: Proverbs 3:27-28.
The first part of the Rule of Life for the Northumbria Community in Northern England is Availability:
"We are called to be AVAILABLE to God and to others:
Firstly to be available to God in the cell of our own heart when we can be turned towards Him, and seek His face; then to be available to others in a call to exercise hospitality, recognising that in welcoming others we honour and welcome the Christ Himself; then to be available to others through participation in His care and concern for them, by praying and interceding for their situations in the power of the Holy Spirit; then to be available for participation in mission of various kinds according to the calling and initiatives of the Spirit."
Loving our neighbors means opening our hearts and even our calendars to others. In our busy, busy, overcommitted world it's hard sometimes to make time for another. Yet, if we are truly welcoming the presence of Christ in our neighbor, as the Northumbria brothers and sisters believe, then it is perhaps the most important (really the only important) thing we might do in any day.
Today you will likely be faced with a choice, maybe even a dilemma. Should I stick to my plan for the day, or might I be available to a neighbor when the need arises?
The first part of the Rule of Life for the Northumbria Community in Northern England is Availability:
"We are called to be AVAILABLE to God and to others:
Firstly to be available to God in the cell of our own heart when we can be turned towards Him, and seek His face; then to be available to others in a call to exercise hospitality, recognising that in welcoming others we honour and welcome the Christ Himself; then to be available to others through participation in His care and concern for them, by praying and interceding for their situations in the power of the Holy Spirit; then to be available for participation in mission of various kinds according to the calling and initiatives of the Spirit."
Loving our neighbors means opening our hearts and even our calendars to others. In our busy, busy, overcommitted world it's hard sometimes to make time for another. Yet, if we are truly welcoming the presence of Christ in our neighbor, as the Northumbria brothers and sisters believe, then it is perhaps the most important (really the only important) thing we might do in any day.
Today you will likely be faced with a choice, maybe even a dilemma. Should I stick to my plan for the day, or might I be available to a neighbor when the need arises?
Lord Christ, be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.
In Jesus name, Amen.
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