Forsaking My Right

We have a neighbor who lives four houses down the street named Reginald. Nate met him while we were still building our house. They seemed to hit it off and had several things in common. Both Believers. Both fans of Obama. (YES, you CAN be a Christian AND be an Obama supporter! GASP!) It seemed like the beginning of a promising relationship.

Imagine our disdain when, after our home was completed, Reginald continued to park his truck in front of our house. Well, technically it’s on the side of our house because we have a corner lot, but when I look out my Dining Room window, guess what I have a crystal clear view of? His shiny red truck. It’s not an ugly beat-up work truck or anything. In fact it’s kept spotless. But it’s not MY truck, so I don’t really care to see it every time I look out my window or leave my driveway or play in the yard with the kids.

The truck’s parking position has become somewhat of a neighborly issue. The neighbors in the two houses across the street have expressed their dislike to Reginald’s parking choice, especially since his house is FOUR HOUSES DOWN THE STREET. We have all gone to Reginald and asked him to please move the truck. We’ve gone to the HOA. Unfortunately our neighborhood streets are still public, so there are no regulations on parking and thus Reginald has complete freedom to leave his truck wherever he chooses…which is in front of my house. We’re working on that….but for now, the truck stays. And it hasn’t budged in over a week. He has claimed his ground.

I don’t know why, but this has become such an ISSUE in my heart. I mean, I boil over every time I see that truck, which is multiple times a day. That leaves me pretty much at a simmer for most of my day.  The issue isn’t really where he parks or all the traffic/congestion/aesthetic issues his choice creates. What it really boils down to is this: He is disregarding and disrespecting my right to have my yard and my view clear of his truck.

Nate went to Reginald’s house and had a very civil conversation with him about the issue. Nate made it clear that he wants both a healthy relationship with Reginald and his family, and also for the truck to be moved. Reginald also wants a relationship with our family, but does not want the truck moved. We are left with a stalemate.

I stumbled on this verse in my Quiet Time the other day and felt like the Lord ran right over me (with a truck…?!).

“Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.” Romans 14:19

This verse reminded me that even though I feel my rights are being rudely violated,  I have been called to forsake my rights and lay down my life for others. Paul, the author of the verse I quoted above, did not concern himself with his own rights or comforts because his greater priority, over his personal freedom, was to lead others to Christian maturity (1 Corinthians 14:12, 26). This is how Jesus related to His disciples. He taught them that they could express no greater love than to lay down their lives for one another (John 15:13). Jesus claimed no rights. He was not a door mat, either! He CHOSE to claim no rights. He CHOSE to lay down his life. This is the truest example of LOVE. We are called to build up each other in Christ. To lay down our rights and our lives and put others first.

Even though I’ve received this reminder from the Lord, I still struggle with it. When Paul talked about this topic he said, “let us PURSUE the things which make for peace.” To “pursue” means to passionately focus one’s undistracted effort toward a goal. It’s no casual matter. It involves using all the resources God has given us to ensure growth and peace in the life of a fellow Christian. Paul said he labored, “striving…to present every man perfect in Christ” (Col. 1:28-29). It took serious concentration and effort! That’s where I am. Concentrating on overlooking the red truck in my yard! And oooooooooh it’s hard! It’s an excersise! But I KNOW it’s what I am being called to do.

Pray for me!

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