Love in action

​Who is my neighbor?  Who is neighbor to me?
 
When drama hits in my life, who can I talk with?  Who can I confide in?  Of course I can share with those close to me- family and friends, but, can they help?  Do they lead me to Christ?  And, the more serious the issue, the more the need to be led to Christ.  Handling a financial issue doesn’t reach the heart as handling sin…or even recognizing sin.
 
In steps a pastor.  A pastor may teach, a pastor may preach, but the greatest point of being a pastor is that a pastor lovingly guides his flock to Christ.  A pastor would know his flock (today we sometimes are astonished if the pastor knows our name!), he would know their story, their trials.  A pastor provides more than a 5-minute counseling session after service, or every other month by appointment.
 
Our Bible tells of Jesus having long walks and talks with His flock.  Jesus ate with His flock, Jesus reclined with His flock.  Who was busier than the God of the universe?, yet Jesus made time for His flock, such that they were comfortable enough to bring their questions to Him.  And Jesus provided answers to them that led them to His Father, our God.
 
I want to be that neighbor and I am in need of that neighbor.