March 19
"When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Contribute to the needs of the saints, pursue hospitality." -Romans 12:12-13 (NLT)
Tired of entertaining? Try hospitality! God's command to offer "hospitality" exists throughout the Bible. It is considered a "spiritual gift". Yet we first need to understand "hospitality" differs greatly from social "entertaining". Entertaining focuses on us. Our home should be spotless. Food offered to guests must be well prepared and plentiful. We should appear well mannered and gracious. However, "hospitality" focuses on our guests' needs like shelter, beds, a listening ear, acceptance, healthy food, kindness, etc. Hospitality happens anywhere any time-even in messy homes. It occurs at dinner tables where we serve beans. It can exist as we do chores together with our guests. Don't hesitate to offer hospitality just because you are too poor, tired, busy, or not wealthy enough to entertain!
St. Benedict once said, "hospitality maintains a prominence in the living Christian tradition...the guest represents Christ and has a claim on the welcome and care of the community." In other words, if we love one another, God abides in us and when his love is perfected within it will be showered on all we encounter. Just think if every Christian would practice true hospitality only once a week, we could drastically change our own community for the good. However, whenever we practice hospitality, we have the wonderful opportunity to touch lives in a healing way. Be bold! God will give you the love and wisdom needed to open your heart to others. With a little faith and a good dose of prayer, rest assured God will use you to share the transforming power of Christian hospitality with the many wonderful people God is going to send your way soon.
Prayer: God of Love, May I offer Hospitality. Remove my anxieties so I may love others as you do. Amen.
Meditation For The Day: God will bless you even as you bless others!
Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Spring Renewal Paperback – February 21, 2017, by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson (Author)
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