Love Your City

I was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Located in the north end of Boston, is my favorite pizza at Regina Pizzeria…plus Mike’s Pastry for dessert, of course.

We lived on Campground Road in West Boylston, Massachusetts, and I never remember locking the front door of the house. The phone never rang before people came over—they just knocked on the door. Mom always seemed to have something baked and ready to give away. September 28 is National Good Neighbor Day, and my mom should surely receive the award for good neighbor.

However, times have changed. Harvard University did a study on what it means to be a good neighbor. Fifty years ago, it was having a pie ready to share. Welcoming neighbors unannounced to enter your home was the norm. Today, being a good neighbor is defined by Harvard research as “leave me alone and be a quiet neighbor.” We are more distant and removed from the people and cities around us.

I was scheduled to speak at First Baptist Church Bentonville, Arkansas, where Chris Dixon is the senior pastor. Chris and his wife Amy are close friends with me and my wife, Sheryl. Prior to traveling to visit them, they sent me a t-shirt from their church. On the front of it were the words: “LOVE YOUR CITY” in all caps. It was a very catchy statement and it made me pause because I read it as: love your city as “God’s city” and not “our city.”

I arrived in Bentonville on Friday because we were hosting the Laugh All Night comedy concert at the church, as part of the Bentonville’s First Friday event. The next morning, I was picked up at the hotel by Pastor Chris. During breakfast I asked him, “What else is your church doing to reach the community?” I was curious because the night before, I witnessed how their church set up tents and gave out bottles of water during the First Friday festival. Plus, they had a play area set up outdoors for kids. Chris began to share with me story after story about how their church family spreads love and generosity into the community. They serve the local high school football team, bring lunch to teachers, and pack school supplies for back to school, to name a few ways they give to their community. Then Chris said something I will never forget. “We will serve those who serve.” From teachers to first responders and community leaders, this church wanted to encourage those who make their city better.

The idea to to love your city is Biblical and powerful. In Jeremiah 29:7 we read, “Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Personally, I love the part of the definition of “prosper” where it says: flourish physically; grow strong and healthy. As Christians, we are to help others flourish…spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Together, we trust God to meet all of our needs. “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

What would we do if we woke up each day and saw the place we live…the city…as God’s—and we were truly His stewards of what’s been entrusted to us? May where you live be better because of the God who lives inside of you. ~Tim DeTellis