The Gift of Hospitality

Hospitality. What a fun gift to exercise in these summer months.

With so much needed emphasis on the first word in the Great Commission, GO, we can sometimes lose sight of ministry possibilities literally in our own backyard.

For some, the ‘get up and go’ already got up and went. The going diminishes, from Go-Go to Slow-Go and finally to No-Go. In life’s final stages, our living radius is much closer to home--- or our homes move to environments with better physical access and amenities.

Of course, hospitality requires some effort. When people struggle to maintain, it’s difficult to even think about entertaining others in their home.

We may think of lavish, home-cooked meals and nicely decorated tables as synonymous with hospitality. But it’s not a gift reserved for home economics majors, Pinterest enthusiasts, or younger adults with boundless energy.

Hospitality starts in our hearts, as we make room for Jesus and others to enter our lives and make themselves at home.  If we wait until our lives or homes are perfect, we miss the point and miss out on lots of opportunities to share the love of Christ.

We are blessed to live in an area of the country people enjoy visiting. We love hosting out-of-town guests and local friends as well. Sometimes we admit to not being intentional enough about exercising hospitality. But every time we do it, our lives become richer.

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

1 Peter 4:9

We encourage you this summer, as God gives strength, to offer hospitality to both close friends and to someone you’d like to know better---like the neighbor down the street who has not yet been invited to your home.

It doesn’t have to be a gourmet extravaganza. Keep it simple and do it more often. Even coffee or tea on your deck, patio, or porch. Let’s invite others into our imperfect lives, and watch God do something fresh and exciting.