Hospitality

Hospitality at its core is following Jesus simplest explanation of Christianity: "Love God with everything and love people as God loves you." (my paraphrase of the two greatest commandments found in Mark 12:30-31) Again he says, "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:40) This isn't just feeding the poor, though it is that also. Hospitality is showing people God's love. I know how I feel when no one seems to be answering my texts, phone calls, e-mails, whatever; and I feel like there is no place for me. When people are too busy to spend time with you and no one will attend to your needs, whether they be physical or emotional. Life can be an empty place if we let it become that. But God has called us to something better: to live out the Kingdom of God in Heaven here on Earth. Who will you meet that God doesn't love and doesn't want to have a relationship with? No one!
I am reminded of a song by Brandon Heath entitled "Give Me Your Eyes." (click on the song title for a link to the video on YouTube.) Here is the chorus:

"Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity
Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see"

Hospitality is about giving of yourself to love people as God loves them, and as God loved you. We live in a hurting world, but God gives hope and salvation. It is our duty and privilege to tell them about it and to live it out to them.

Reflection Questions

Q: How comfortable are you with being the host or hostess?
A: Not very. I don't really feel like I have a lot to give when it comes to hosting people. I don't have a home to host people in or anything like that. But when I do, I've tried to be hospitable with what I have.

Q: How might Jesus want to use your heart and home as a shelter for others?
A: Well, I feel that God has used me to be friend to the friendless. When people need someone, I am there for them. I know what it feels like to reach out and have no one answer you. I think that God wants to use me to be the one that does answer. I may need to work on being a little more sensitive, though.