Believe it or not, in a few years my husband and I will have lived in this house for 40 years. Would you believe me if I told you that this wasn’t actually the house we wanted, but the house we “ended up” due to circumstances beyond our control? The house we wanted was the same structure and model as our current home, but we wanted more of the neighborhood feel the other homes had for our growing family. The house we bought was behind a factory and there was only a neighborhood circle. You know what they say, “Location, location, location.” Well, this address was not where we had in mind… But after a few years, we found out exactly why the house we wanted was blocked and we were directed to this one instead…
The Israelites knew what it was like to have their home chosen. “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Command the children of Israel and say, “When you come into the land of Canaan, this is the land that will be given to you as an inheritance. To define the land of Canaan along its boundaries. Numbers 34:1-2 The Lord has determined their boundaries in detail, down to the landmarks.”
The Lord sets our boundaries to serve the ultimate purpose of the kingdom. Whether we are Old Testament Israelites or 21st century believers, our homes are more than addresses. God has a plan not only for us but also for those around us.
I would like to take you on a short journey. There, the Lord showed me that my home was not just an old address, but that God had a plan for our family and the people living around us. I hope this inspires you to think about where the Lord has set your boundaries and how He has used you, is currently using you, or will be used for His purposes.
See your neighborhood as part of God’s great story
“From one man he made all nations…and he established fixed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.” Acts 17:26-27
Ever since I moved into my home, I’ve really fallen in love with it! You have to drive through the factory to get to the neighborhood, but our house is on the back side of the circle, next to a beautiful field. When we first moved in, we had horses. Over the years, it has been home to herds of cattle, pheasants, turkeys, coyotes, foxes, and deer. For the first few years, I found myself very focused coming home from a long day at work and standing on the backslide looking at nature.
We started meeting with our neighbors, most of whom were growing young families like us. Not only that, but many of them were transplants from other states, just like us.
Before I knew Him, He had already placed me in this neighborhood and blessed me with the desires of my heart. But God…I finally came to know the Lord through the testimonies of two separate neighbors.
Over the next few months, I shared what I was learning with my agnostic husband. And through the prayers of his Christian friends, he eventually came to know the Lord, eventually attending seminary and becoming a pastor.
You see, it wasn’t the builder or real estate agent that kept me and my husband from buying the house we wanted. It was the ultimate architect and builder of our lives who assigned us this address as our home to be used for the purposes of the Kingdom of God.
Same goes for you. God has a plan for you right at your address. Maybe your experience was not a coming to Jesus experience, but many other situations have unfolded or are unfolding in your life that point to God’s larger story within your neighborhood. Take some time to reflect on it and lean back.
Why where you live matters more than you think
“You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others.” Matthew 5:14-16
If you live in the Northeast, it’s common to not have many Christians in your neighborhood. God blessed us with two neighbors. The rest not so much. But there is an opportunity…
Over the years, we have had the opportunity to witness to several of our neighbors by answering their questions and sharing the gospel directly with them. It so happened that a female college student showed up at the door selling aerial photographs of the neighborhood. I shared the gospel with her when I invited her over for a “sudden” thunderstorm. You and I both know that it didn’t happen by chance or out of the blue. God placed that young woman in my neighborhood and on my doorstep at such a time.
I hosted a neighborhood Bible club for the kids. To our surprise, there was a huge turnout. It’s amazing to us…but not to the Lord.
As our children grew up, we all worked and got busy with other things, so we didn’t interact with our neighbors as much. Yet their knowledge of us remained the same. We built a Christlike foundation in our neighborhood. They knew my husband was a pastor and watched us go to church every Sunday. Through our actions and kindness, we still continued to show, even if it was only temporarily
light of christ. It was clear from the way we were treated that they saw us as different and respected us. They saw us imitating the love of Christ.
The region we live in is no mere coincidence. God has chosen those around you to participate in His perfect plan with you as His messenger. As a missionary, you are placed on a clearly chosen mission, whether it is publicly sharing the gospel or bringing light to everything you do.
Understand God’s purpose for you and your neighbors
“Love the Lord your God…love your neighbor as yourself” Mark 12:30-31
I’d like to say that for years our neighborhood was a bed of roses, but it wasn’t. As in other areas, tensions can arise, especially when children are involved.
My son is very active and always gets “caught carrying his bag” even if it’s not his fault. I’m not saying he was perfect, but he did get some bad reviews. As you can imagine, the mom anger in me grew because the other parent wouldn’t allow their kids to play with their son, especially when I heard them complaining about him right outside their bedroom window.
That same neighbor, under my son’s influence, actually put a border of large arborvitae bushes along the side border of our house, and it’s still there. It reminds us of how far we have come…
Thankfully an apology has since been issued. I could have easily held a grudge, but I didn’t. They continue to be our closest neighbors because we have been together since the beginning of the neighborhood. When her husband passed away, I grieved with her family. It brought back all the memories of when the kids were playing together. Now her grandson and my grandson play together when we are home.
I could have allowed the obvious borders of the arborvitae to take root in me and become as ugly as that big, unruly bush that I am now, but I didn’t. I showed them the love and grace I would want to receive in the same situation.
Remember, you may be the only Bible your neighbors are reading. Whether there is tension with your neighbors or how you act towards them in general, think about how you yourself are acting and whether you love your neighbors as yourself. After all, you will be blessed.
Father, thank you for defining our borders not only for our pleasure, but as part of your plan. May we serve You in our neighborhood for Your glory. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Have you seen the great story of God behind your neighborhood yet? How can you be a missionary in your own neighborhood?
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Daniel de la Hoz
Karen Dell Tattoo is a blogger, author, women’s ministry leader, pastor’s wife, mother, and grandmother who is passionate about God’s Word. Her blog, “Growing Together in Grace and Knowledge,” and her books, “Choosing to Trust God: Breaking the Habit of Worry,” “A 30-Day Devotional,” and “Choosing to Trust God Companion Journal,” reveal her heart offering biblical insights to inspire women to grow in, through, and overcome hardship. Karen and her husband live in Rhode Island where she enjoys walking in the woods, petting owls, and spending time with her grandchildren.
