Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Welcome


September 23, 2008 IOW

“Hospitality is becoming an almost forgotten Christian virtue in our style of life today… In the New Testament, however, hospitality was a distinctive mark of Christians and Christian communities.”
~Alexander Strauch from The Hospitality Commands~

When I read today’s quote I wonder sometimes if hospitality has become more a re-defined and misunderstood characteristic than a forgotten virtue. In Romans 12 it talks about loving one another with brotherly affection, giving precedence and showing honor to each other. Telling the Christian to never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor. To be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord.

After making those statements Paul goes on to say we are to contribute to the needs of God’s people (sharing in the necessities of the saints) while pursuing the practice of hospitality. (Romans 12:13 Amplified)

Hospitality has become redefined by thinking its something involving a constant flow of company coming in and out of our homes. An endeavor requiring a nice living room, comfortable décor, fine china, food, and all the trimmings that make others feel comfortable. We overlook the fact that what makes hospitality work is the attitude in which it’s done. It’s making people feel welcome.

Welcome in our home, welcome at church, welcome in the workplace. Welcome no matter where we go. The kindness that comes with hospitality shouldn’t stop at the entrance or exit of our home. It needs to be extended out to wherever we go to contribute to the needs of God’s people while pursuing the practice of generosity, friendliness, and hospitality.

The best way to do this is to never lag in zeal as we remain aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord. God isn’t asking us to open a Bed and Breakfast business in our homes. What He wants is for us to open our hearts and to see to it that the porch light of our heart remains on. The very light that burns brightly within us because of the power source we are hooked into, Jesus Christ.

There is no such thing as being “too busy” to stop and put into practice the welcome mat we throw on the steps of our porch. Taking the time, as opportunities arise, to smile, to greet, and to acknowledge one another as we do what we are called to do. No, it doesn’t take running out and buying the finest china money can buy. It's not about the condition of our home its about the condition of our heart. What we need to do is run inwards in our hearts to Jesus. Letting what He has done for us shine forth as we reach out to others as Jesus has reached out to us.

Howdy, it was great having you pop in today. Now go over to our host Chelsey’s place at Joyfully Living to read and share about today’s quote. After that go out and make someone feel welcome in the name of the Lord.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

"What we need to do is run inwards in our hearts to Jesus. Letting what He has done for us shine forth as we reach out to others as Jesus has reached out to us."

LOVE this Karen - what a PERFECT reminder!!!

Esthermay Bentley-Goossen said...

Well Said! As much as I want and desire and daydream about a Bed & Breakfast. . . I agree 100% with you that "hospitality" does not necessarily mean "in-my-home!" It's about sharing with others what we ourselves have rec'd from God. (II Corinthians 1:3-4)

Jamie {See Jamie blog} said...

Great post - thanks for sharing!

Laurie Ann said...

Very well said! I'm learning that I've had a lot of misconceptions about hospitality, and what I'm reading through everyone IOW's post, including yours, is that the center of it is love and that it is given. Amen about the light! Sing it, sistah!

Miriam Pauline said...

Amen! So well said. Bless you for sharing!

Patricia said...

Karen, what a beautiful way you presented this!!

I love what you said about the porch light:

"What He wants is for us to open our hearts and to see to it that the porch light of our heart remains on."

Hospitality is an attitude of love, and it's not the condition of our home.

Thanks for a wonderful post!

Joyfull said...

Great post, loved the encouragement to never be too busy to see opportnities to minister. Thanks for sharing.