MASHAL: Loving Your Neighbor (Part 1)

Otter Creek is a community because of what we have in common: our desire to follow Jesus. Discipleship is bigger than subscribing to a set of beliefs - it is more than a cerebral posture we hold based on our understanding of scripture. Following Jesus requires real, tangible action.

Yesterday we talked about (podcast) how in our journey to grow in our love of God and love of neighbor it's crucial to adopt formative practices in our lives where we can live out our discipleship. One of those practices needs to be the opening of our hearts, homes, and lives to smaller communities where friendships can take root and where we can show hospitality and grace to others.

It is in our living and dining rooms where we can truly share life together. It is there where we open ourselves up to praying, serving, and breaking bread together. Being in relationship with others isn't always easy. Sometimes life is messy. But when you take the risk of following Jesus with others, It seems like God blesses those relationships in ways we don't even expect.

The table of Jesus is the center point of community. May we take the blessings of grace, reconciliation, and relationship we find at the table, and broker those blessings to others in the context of meaningful relationship.

Eric Livingston
Community Life Minister