Hospitality

When I got home this afternoon, I maneuvered my way around SDG&E guys working their way up a ladder into our attic, younger siblings with their friends off early because of testing this week, and my mom encouraging our dog to go through his new “doggy door.” And I love it! I love the energy!

I remember loving having “company” over when I was younger. I would run to turn on music or ask what they wanted to drink. If I could have done a Beauty and the Beast "Be Our Guest, Be Our Guest" dance, I would have! And I still love it today!

One of my favorite comedies is My Big Fat Greek Wedding. I can probably quote most of the movie, and I identify with feeling that my family is just a little bit “crazy” compared to most others! One of my favorite lines is when the mother asks the new “boyfriend” in the house if he’s hungry, to which he responds, “no,” and she says, “Okay, then I’ll make you something.” Love it!!

One of my friends, that drops in without notice, often remembers that quote with me. I may have just gotten off work, and she just come back from a dinner, but I have to make her something to eat. I mean, I can’t let her come over and not eat something . . . even if she says she’s not hungry!! I really do love having people over, making some tea or coffee, and snacks, and sitting down to talk and eat. Really, that is one of my favorite things to do!

In my Hebrews class, we’ve reached chapter 13, and have parked on verse 2 this week: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

I think back to some fun parties I’ve hosted recently—Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s, a Worship Night. Loved being a part of so many friends getting together!

But I’ve wondered recently if there’s more to this verse than merely getting together with friends.

Easter Sunday, my same friend (who invites herself over!), mentioned that an unsaved guy friend had recently watched the Passion of the Christ and had questions. “Come on over!” I invited them that night for coffee, dessert, and a late night convo. I also invited another guy friend whom I knew would be great at sharing the Gospel with this particular guy. As I began making our drinks, cutting cake, turning on worship music, I became excited for friends to come over to talk.

In my excitement I wasn’t prepared for a conflict with a family member to come up, and my mood to go sour (spiritual warfare?). What in the world??? I have three friends coming over to do what I love to do most, eat and talk, and share the Gospel, and I was in a bad mood!

Thankfully, God doesn’t depend on me for sharing of the Gospel! He did what He had planned that night, and my unsaved friend heard a clear presentation. I did get to pray silently while it was happening. But I also got to pray through my “things” with God, as He asked me to repent and give over everything to Him. I guess me surrendering over control of my life was what was important to Him that night. And I am always impressed at God’s multitasking abilities. He’s working the Gospel into the guy next to me, while He’s telling me to sit still, let go of my desire to control, and let Him do the work. If I learned anything that night, it was that He is certainly in control, not any other person, and not me! And I did get to find joy in the fact that my home was opened up to the preaching of Jesus!!

Hospitality.

What is it? I don’t know if there is a clear definition. From the context, I am assuming that it may even be broad.

In Genesis 18, Abraham saw three men come to his house. He made them an elaborate meal, washed their feet, and let them rest under a big tree in his front yard. Abraham gave of himself, to take care of, and make his guests comfortable. Two turned out to be angels, and one is believed to be a Christophony, Jesus Himself!

Jesus says in Matthew 25, that in the future He will separate the goats from the sheep. The sheep will have given water and clothes and shelter to others, helping the sick and those in prison, in the name of Jesus, and in so doing, they did this to Jesus Himself!

Wow! Hospitality is actually giving to Jesus!!! What an awesome, but terrifying, thought!

The verse just after the hospitality verse in Hebrews says this: “Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body” (Heb 13:3).

In this part of our study, we looked up verses on the body, and our care for and devotion to each other. And, again, I was convicted!! Do I really care for others as I do myself??

We also watched a video on a former prisoner in Ethiopia. He had shared his new found faith with much courage to those in his country, but at that time, Ethiopia was communist and forbade it. Yet, this man refused to denounce Jesus, and was sent to prison to be tortured. I almost felt sick hearing of what happened to him. Though it was hard to think of what happened to this man, Heb 13:3 tells me to remember them. This man is in the Body with me. I am to think of him, pray for him, because Christ cherishes His body, and wants me to too! And, I can also rejoice in the work he is doing in Ethiopia (which is now free to the Gospel, and one of the most open countries in Africa!), as if I’m a part of it, because we are of the same body!!

So, hospitality.

Serving others through dinner, or inviting them over to eat, sit and talk. Providing shelter or food for those who need it. Acts of kindness and giving, even outside of my home, in visiting homeless and shut-in’s, and prisoners, and serving those in the body of Christ. Perhaps these can fall under this category too!

But in my hospitality, especially from that Easter Sunday, I’ve learned that it’s not about me! A bit back, I was the “snacks” girl for my young adults community for over a year. I loved thinking of what snacks to bring, and setting them out. At first, I really enjoyed serving in that way. But I also started to identify with that niche. I found more joy in identifying with the position than I found joy in seeing others blessed. . . thankfully, it was time to move on and let others step up to that position. I’m learning that I cannot see serving as merely relying on the comfort of a position, title, or being noticed or needed. I certainly feel a sense of belonging knowing that I have a gift, just like everyone else in the body does, but I am reminded that my gifts are not just for identifying with the body, but for SERVING the body!!

So, Lord, please help me to have a bigger picture. To see the Body as You do. To love the Body as You do. And as I am a part of YOUR Body, Your bride, and You cherish us. . . so let me cherish You by cherishing others in hospitality, serving, and love!