There’s a cute commercial on television now about a young lad having to give a speech. In his research he looks up all the great speeches of history. In the end, a gal catches his eye and he is off to do research for his next speech.

In his research of great speeches, I believe he missed a few. None of Jesus’ speeches are mentioned. Peter’s speech on the day the Church was founded was not mentioned. Paul’s speech to the Athenians was not mentioned. And this list could go on.

I however, would love to talk about Paul’s speech in Athens to the Areopagus in Acts 17:16-34. The Greeks were philosophers and “spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.” (Acts 17:21 – NIV) They invited Paul to share with them this new idea.

Paul’s speech was brilliant. He knew exactly where to begin…with the altar to an unknown god. Paul then proclaimed to them the good news of Jesus.

There is one verse in Paul’s speech that I’d like to pull out. One that perhaps we’ve missed through the years or even overlooked. But with the renewed interest of showing love to our neighbors in our neighborhoods, this verse sticks out.

“From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.” (Acts 17:26 – NIV)

God has placed me in my neighborhood for a specific purpose. God has placed you in your neighborhood for a specific purpose. I believe this idea changes everything.

It’s my purpose to get to know my neighbors. Know their needs. Meet their needs when possible. Pray for my neighbors. Share God’s message with my neighbors.

But when I pull into my garage and put the door down before I even get out of my car, I have no opportunities to meet my neighbors, much less do life with them.

Our congregation has been challenged to meet our neighbors and begin praying for them over the next 3 months. I believe that when we pair prayer with the understanding that God placed us in the exact location for His purpose, we have the perfect combination for God to move in mighty ways.

Years ago my family lived next to a church which housed men who were sent by the court system to straighten their lives out. At the time, we had young children and I felt in order to keep us all safe, I needed to know the men who lived next door.

I sat on my front porch and spoke with these men. I learned their names. I shared conversation. I got to know their stories. In the three years that we lived there, not once did I ever feel threatened or in harm’s way.

Why? Because I was a good neighbor.

I challenge you to do the same. Meet your neighbors. Write their names down. Begin to pray for them. Don’t lock yourself up in your homes. Get out there. Be available. See what God has in store for your neighborhood.

Perhaps this isn’t possible for you. But what you can do is pray. If you don’t know the names of your neighbors, do the best you can. Describe them to God. He knows their names. Allow God’s Spirit to do the praying for you. You can still be a good neighbor without leaving your home.

I pray that you’ll come to understand the importance of Jesus’ words when He said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Luke 10:27 – NIV)

Now, let’s get out there and be good neighbors!

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

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