Hiding in Plain Sight

The report out of Cleveland late Monday night was staggering, but joyfully so. As more and more people began to get familiar with the specifics of the story, there was an interesting mix of bliss and horror. After all, how could someone possibly not be found for 10 years when they were right in a populous neighborhood? The families of the victims had every right to think these three young ladies were dead.

Stories like this draw me in. I am amazed when someone who has been lost, especially for an extended period of time, is found. It always makes me feel good for the families. But there is something truly remarkable about stories like this one, where the victims are right in the middle of civilization–right in the heart of a neighborhood–and no one knows about them.

They are hiding in plain sight.

Of course, these young ladies were not “hiding,” in the sense of wanting to be there. They were kidnapped and forced to be in this place for a decade. They were hidden by evil men, and I don’t want to begin to consider all that these women have experienced in the last 10 years.

But stories like this make me think about my own neighborhood, and I think it should cause each of us to think, as well.

No, I am not suggesting that someone in your neighborhood is keeping prisoners in a basement or attic. I’m also not suggesting that we should look at all our neighbors with suspicion because of stories like this.

What I want us to ask ourselves is this: Would I notice if anything different was going on in my neighborhood?

How well do I know my neighbors?

The time was when neighbors did not just take care of each other, they knew each other. If someone was sick or struggling, neighbors were there to help because they knew that something wasn’t right.

As Christians, we may not “catch” everything that goes on (especiallyif you live in a very crowded neighborhood like I do), but should we not be at least trying to know our neighbors? Should we not at least keep an eye out, so that we can be there if a trouble comes?

It could be that we are concerned about being too nosey. Or maybe we don’t want to embarrass ourselves by asking about something and it not being the case.

I think, more often though, we are just too involved in our own little world to care.

Ouch.

We are so busy (and so are our neighbors) that we just don’t make the time to get to know people and get involved in their lives. Yes, I’m writing to myself here, too! I could tell you of a couple of struggles that happened on our very street that I didn’t know about for weeks, and I’m embarrassed by that. Since, I have at least tried to keep up with cars on the street! I can at least know who is home!!!

What neighbor needs some food?

What neighbor just lost a job?

What neighbor has a marriage hanging on by a thread?

What neighbor is lonely?

What neighbor could use someone to run an errand?

What neighbor needs Christ?

You see, you have people who may be hiding in plain sight. Your neighbors need Jesus, but we can be too busy to notice…

…or care.

QUESTION: What can we do to show Christ to our neighbors? Share some thoughts in the comments.

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Photo credit: Angie Garrett on Creative Commons

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