Nathan E. Lewis

One of Evergreen Church’s neighbors contacted the City of Beaverton’s mediation group to complain about the parking lot lights. Apparently, the lights are reaching his bedroom window and their glow prevents his pursuing of a new hobby in astronomy within the urban growth boundary. (This is not the first complaint or demand this neighbor has made.) The mediator called me to discuss our neighbor’s request that we install make-shift metalic shields on three lights. My response was to make a request of my own to the City: “Post a brief letter to the neighbor, copying Evergreen, stating that the lights have been installed to City code.” I still think that such a complaint is one our neighbor should make to the City, who required the lights at their strength, heighth and placement. Of course, the City refused to write such a letter.
The mediator asked me to make a response to our neighbor through her. I told her to tell our neighbor that we would not consider his request/demand, but that we would assess the situation and then do what is neighborly.
Almost immediately, upon folding shut my phone, the words of Jesus echoed through my mind and conscience. “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,’ but I say to you, ‘Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.�
I have mailed the following letter to the mediator at the City:
Dear ___________,
Thank you for helping Evergreen respond to the complaint our neighbor made to your office concerning the parking lot lights. You are right: This little complaint has frustrated me. Soon after I spoke with you, I realized that I was not frustrated with our neighbor, but that I was frustrated with Jesus. He said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,’ but I say to you, ‘Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and dod not refuse the one who would borrow from you.�
Were it not for Jesus, I would be able to ignore my neighbor’s demands and decide on my own what would be neighborly. But Jesus teaches me to live the gospel by deferring to my neighbor, to put his interests before my own. The gospel is the announcement of Jesus putting our interests before his own by sacrificing his own life to win God’s favor of us.
I regret my slowness to practice what I preach, but I do think that there is yet time for us to do what is right. Thank you, once again for your patience and your commitment to good relationships in our city.
Gratefully,
Nathan E. Lewis