Our “neighbors” in Animal Crossing add to the experience in more ways than one… some are kind, others are prickly, and all of them will come to us needing our help at some point. While most of them are pretty friendly, there are times that new neighbors move in and disrupt our happy island status quo. But being a “good neighbor” means we don’t simply “kick out” those who are acting in a manner that we don’t appreciate or that we disagree with. We are acting our most “neighborly” when we show love to others based on their need of it, not on how they’ve previously behaved… demonstrating unearned kindness without any expectation of reciprocation.

The Lord made it crystal clear in the story of the “Good Samaritan” exactly who He is defining as our “neighbor” and what His standard of loving them truly is. It was more than just a stranger in need, it was someone with entirely different religious beliefs and opposing ideologies who may not have reciprocated the same kindness if the tables were turned. Helping them was at best a costly inconvenience, and at worst was a potentially ostracizing decision… but this is the love we are called to. Our “neighbors” may not behave in a “neighborly” manner in their times of need, but this is when Christ commanded us to show His unearned grace and love the most.

And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ” And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.” But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Luke 10:25-29

“So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:36-37

• Like us?  Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Spotify, TikTok, or YouTube for our articles, podcasts, and videos!
• Facebook: Finding God in Video Games
• Twitter: @FindingGodIn_VG
• Instagram: Finding God in Video Games
• Podcasts on Spotify/Apple/Google: Finding God in Video Games
• TikTok: @FindingGodInVideoGames
• YouTube: Finding God in Video Games