The Speck in Your Neighbor’s Eye

Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Matthew 7:3 NRSV

Gilbert Keith Chesterton once wrote, “The Bible tells us to love our neighbors and also to love our enemies; probably because they are generally the same people. “ For many of us that does pose a bit of conflict. We can’t pick our family and certainly in most cases not our neighbors. So? How do we love our obnoxious neighbor? Before we start compiling a list of annoying things our neighbors do—STOP. Even consider we might be driving them crazy as well? Are there things that we do that might be less than stellar?

Taking the other person’s viewpoint is often the start to seeing a conflict in a new light. Putting ourselves in the other person’s shoes can lead to understanding. Understanding can lead to compassion. Compassion can lead to action. Action in an amazing chain of attitude adjustment can lead to reconciliation. Is there anything we can rectify, reconcile, or simple change to pave the way to renewed neighbor relations? To begin a thawing of the cold war?

Sometimes the hardest thing in the world is to walk next door and make a new start. But in the end that moment of humility can lead to friendship or at the very least fresh understanding. Peacemaking is a reflection of Christ’s grace operating within us. Remember, loving our neighbor is the second greatest commandment—no matter how hard it is. And the ability to do so is one of the greatest graces God gives to HIS own.

Grace for Today: Loving those who are hostile is a grace only God can give us.