There Goes The Neighborhood

By John C. Richards, Jr.
        

Growing up, many of us remember living in a neighborhood of some sort. Whether large or small, we all had a community around us that we considered our "neighbors." If I’m honest, the concept of God becoming flesh and dwelling among us is hard for me to wrap my mind around. The Greek word for dwelt in the above passage literally means, "To fix one's tabernacle, have one's tabernacle." Jesus literally fixed his tabernacle (established himself) here on this Earth in our presence.

My first question: Why would he do that? Why would He exchange an angelic host of singers for an ungodly host of murmuring, complaining human beings?
In the early 1930's a phenomenon began occurring in many major U.S. cities. It is aptly titled "white flight." The influx of minorities into major cities caused many middle to upper class Americans to abandon cities and settle for suburban life, choosing instead to commute daily to their places of employment. Numerous reasons were given for white flight, one being safety. Middle and upper class individuals felt that minorities were a threat to their safety (a totally unfounded view). Now fueled by fear, they felt it necessary to lock their doors, when in times past they never locked them. Natural occurrences often teach spiritual principles.

Isn't it amazing how the presence of "neighbor Jesus" causes our own flight syndrome?

Even though we are the ones who invite Him to live with us, we begin to lock up doors in our own life. We deny Him access to all areas of our lives. God forbid He shows up when we are in our “house” doing something we have no business doing. Then we ask Him the question that we often ask people: "Goodness Jesus, you couldn't call before you came over?" You might be laughing, but have you ever had that moment of conviction when Jesus shows up and catches you off guard when you know you've done something wrong? When you’ve told someone off? Thought a bad thought? Told a lie or made a commitment that you didn't keep? I know it has happened to me.

Gentrification is just the opposite of white flight. It is a current trend in society where many middle and upper class people are moving back into the cities, often displacing the lower class minorities. These people saw one thing…the places they abandoned were places of strategic and prime real estate. It's amazing how believers and unbelievers alike can abandon Christ (distance themselves from Him) because they don't want Him in their business, but then turn back to the Lord when they realize the worth and value of having Him as a neighbor.

Are you living in Christian suburbia? Do you feel a disconnect from Christ such that it seems like you are commuting all day long just to see Him, wasting gas the whole time?

The difference between natural and spiritual gentrification is that Christ doesn't mind you moving back in, because it doesn't displace Him. He's got all the real estate He needs. Come back home.

Scripture Of The Day: "And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us." - John 1:14 (NKJV)

John C. Richards, Jr., Esq. is a husband, father, writer, attorney, and student. While an attorney by career choice, he remains involved in local urban ministry and is passionate about juvenile justice. He and his family currently reside in Atlanta. Find John at http://www.brotherpreacher.com.