Becoming Good Neighbors

There’s a story in Genesis that takes place after the fall.  Everything has changed.  What was given to man in the garden had been broken.  It would affect everything from birth, work, and creation, to our relationships with God and each other.

                                                                                                                                      

In Genesis chapter 4 we see where this downward spiral takes us.  I often say that humanity left to itself is capable of terrible things, and we see that in the story of Cain and Abel.  The issues with jealousy, envy, and shame deepen in ways that are horrifying, beginning with Adam and Eve passed on their sons.  This story is the first recorded murder in scripture.  It is followed with this odd question from Cain when confronted by God, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

It’s a question as old as humanity itself.  The hope in this is that it continues to give evidence of the ways God seeks us out.  Cain has just murdered Abel, and God initiates the conversation just like he did when his parents sinned.  He is the one initiating restoration, not us.  He doesn’t want us to live in brokenness and shame, but longs for everything to be made right. 

When Cain asks God his question, it isn’t answered directly, but instead with another set of curses.  These curses are the consequences to his sin, just like the ones his parents received for theirs, and have clung to us ever since.  It shouldn’t surprise us that the first murderer would have difficulty getting along with others.  But we can’t escape the question.  This question he is at the heart of the issue that continues to be asked of us affecting every relationship we have - Are we our brother’s keepers?  In case we aren’t certain what the answer to that is, Jesus makes it clear for us saying the greatest commandment is to “Love God and love others, all the laws and prophets hang on these two commands.” 

Love God and love others, being good neighbors.  At the heart of this is how we answer the question; will we become good or better neighbors with each other?  What does it mean for me to be your keeper?  To have your back?  What does it mean for me to be a good neighbor for you? 

Tending to the things around us, including each other, is ultimately about our willingness to be good neighbors.  Caring about the hungry and thirsty in our world is seeking to become good and better neighbors.  Caring about trafficking and the industries that support it is about becoming good and better neighbors.  Longing to help those in Houston, Florida, Mexico City, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean is about becoming good and better neighbors.

Are we seeking ways to become better neighbors?  This question didn’t start with Mr. Rogers, but maybe he was reminding us of the age-old question when he asked and sang: “Will you be my neighbor?”  Well?  Will you?