The Lost Art of Hospitality?—Two2Grow, Saturday, July 11
The Lost Art of Hospitality?—Two2Grow, Saturday, July 11
“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2 NIV
As Emelie and I have served the Lord in churches in Europe, Africa, Asia, and America, we have come to see that we can learn different things from different cultures. When pastoring a church made up primarily of people from India, we learned what true hospitality means. The church members would almost fight over who could host the guests, provide food, and help in any way possible. We realized that we needed to learn to be more hospitable.
In our Western world, which is so individualistic—focusing on me, myself, and I—hospitality is almost a lost art. Many of us need the reminder to "not forget to show hospitality."
Hospitality means opening your heart and your resources to others—to let people enter your world and to share what you have with them.
Why is that so important? Because that is exactly what God has done for us.
Our God—Father, Son, and Spirit—is hospitable. God makes room for us and pours His life and blessings into us. If there is one thing we have encountered in God, it is a generous and open welcome.
So how can we imitate God and also practice hospitality? There are no set rules, but opening your home is a good start.
Pray about whether there is someone you should invite over this week for coffee or dinner. When you do, you will sense God's smile over your life.
Father, thank You for making room for me. I pray that You help me to be hospitable. Holy Spirit, lead me to the people You want me to reach out to. Amen.
Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD
As Emelie and I have served the Lord in churches in Europe, Africa, Asia, and America, we have come to see that we can learn different things from different cultures. When pastoring a church made up primarily of people from India, we learned what true hospitality means. The church members would almost fight over who could host the guests, provide food, and help in any way possible. We realized that we needed to learn to be more hospitable.
In our Western world, which is so individualistic—focusing on me, myself, and I—hospitality is almost a lost art. Many of us need the reminder to "not forget to show hospitality."
Hospitality means opening your heart and your resources to others—to let people enter your world and to share what you have with them.
Why is that so important? Because that is exactly what God has done for us.
Our God—Father, Son, and Spirit—is hospitable. God makes room for us and pours His life and blessings into us. If there is one thing we have encountered in God, it is a generous and open welcome.
So how can we imitate God and also practice hospitality? There are no set rules, but opening your home is a good start.
Pray about whether there is someone you should invite over this week for coffee or dinner. When you do, you will sense God's smile over your life.
Father, thank You for making room for me. I pray that You help me to be hospitable. Holy Spirit, lead me to the people You want me to reach out to. Amen.
Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD