Wont You Be My Neighbor?

Confession, I’m more drawn to flare than the mundane. That’s probably not much of a confession. Most of us are this way, especially when it comes to God’s calling on our lives. We hope to hear, “God has something huge planned for your life!” “Soon, you’re going to do something great for Jesus!” We can’t wait to hear what big thing God might call us to next. So, we wait. We wait for our mission assignment. We wait for a dramatic and clear vision. Hopefully, it will be something similar to what Paul experienced when Jesus blinded him, knocked him to the ground, and set him on his crazy adventure. When we get this call, we’ll make a difference for Jesus!

However, John 4 turns our idea of calling on its head. In this account, Jesus has an encounter that could have been boring and mundane but instead, it ended up changing an entire village.

The story begins in a boring fashion, feeling like a short break from the real drama, “Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.”

That’s boring. What could possibly come from that? At first glance, not much. The next verse, “...a Samaritan woman came to draw water.” Jesus is tired and an unnamed woman comes to get water. Nothing will come from this, right? The disciples certainly didn’t think so. Later, in verse 27, we read, “Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” This encounter meant nothing to them. If Jesus had shared their sentiment, it really would have just been a pause from all the drama. However, Jesus, sent on mission to save the world, believed that every encounter mattered. No encounter was an accident, and so he engaged.

Even as Jesus talks with the woman, we’re not really sure she is into it. It almost feels as if she’s mocking him. But Jesus continues to pursue and suddenly and shockingly she responds in verse 28, “Then leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” A few verses later we learn that because of this woman’s testimony, many from the town believed. Imagine if Jesus had treated His encounter with this woman as insignificant?

Jesus’ words in verse 35 are a correction to the disciples and maybe a correction to us as well, “Don’t you have a saying, “It’s still four months until harvest?" I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” In other words, “Why are you looking to the future for some monumental call? Your mission is right in front of your eyes.” Following The Master means learning to treat every encounter as important.

We are in an interesting time culturally. After a brutal winter due to COVID and weather, people are slowly stepping outside again, hungry for community. This presents us with an opportunity for many encounters.

In this season, I encourage you to consider your neighbors. Your address is not a mistake and neither is theirs. Your encounter with them is not a “pause in the drama." They are not just people you see when you check the mail, walk the dog, or pull into your driveways at the same time. Think of all the little things that had to line up for you and your neighbor to live where you do. The reality is that God moved mountains so that you would encounter one another. 

As you consider your calling to your neighbors this summer, think about this one short phrase, “Be a front yard neighbor." Create encounters by intentionally moving part of your life to the front yard. Take a walk and meet people as you go, buy a front yard tree swing for the neighbor kids to play on, or bring the grill to the street and invite a few neighbors to join you. Bring your Life Group members along for the mission as well because community is a powerful evangelistic tool. 

This summer, don't overlook the mission right next door. Your address is not a mistake and neither are your neighbors.