Not my idea of my neighbor, but my neighbor...
0 Comments
»
In C.S. Lewis' "A Grief Observed" he recounts his loss of "H." his late wife. In this recounting he finds that there is a strong leaning towards holding on to a memory of H. rather than H. herself. Lewis then makes the statement:
"I mustn't sit down content with the phantasmagoria itself and worship that for Him, or love that for her. Not my idea of God but God. Not my idea of H., but H. Yes, and also not my idea of my neighbor, but my neighbor."
This is paramount on so many levels. All to often in life I find myself trying to picture God as I pray. Or praying to an image birthed from a finite human mind. As opposed to letting the awe inspiring glory filled King of kings be my all in all.
In the same case we all to often have a picture in our minds as to who our "neighbor" really is. When I thought neighbor, I imagined the widow in the wheelchair, or the orphan in Africa, or street beggar in Peru. But very seldom did I love the peer in my hometown with the selfless abandonment I imagined myself having for the orphan. Hardly ever would I go out of my way to give to my buddy down the street like I would for the widow. And when face to face with the beggar, I find that he has a name. He has dreams. He has hopes. He has an attitude, and wants and desires and ups and downs... just like any of my friends. I find that regardless of comfort, place or time, when Christ says "love thy neighbor" He means to love my neighbor. Not my idea of my neighbor, but my neighbor.
/KC
Subscribe by RSS