Those who follow Jesus Christ are also His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). One of our responsibilities is to be hospitable to others. So often, we connect the idea of hospitality to the hotel industry or even hosting events at a venue or home. However, it goes far beyond that from the vantage point of a Christian. It extends to demonstrating acts of compassion and gestures of kindness to others. Frequently this involves offering generosity toward strangers that we do not know. After all, it is one thing to show our love for those who love us in return, but how often do we do so when the focus is on those we barely know (Luke 6:32-36)? It may not come naturally to us in terms of our human nature, but when God supplies such a gift, it is our responsibility to explore and cultivate it for His glory.
One of the most significant blessings stemming from Christian hospitality is bridging gaps of understanding across racial, cultural, and socioeconomic divides. It allows us to share God’s love and connect with people we might not have encountered otherwise. There is no telling how offering a listening ear, sharing a meal, or offering a kind word could bless someone. Imagine the impact of these types of actions throughout a lifetime. Of course, not all of us can share this gift in the same manner, but perhaps we may feel compelled by God to do so uniquely. It is also possible to improve how we do so over time, which may drive some of us to practice taking such actions frequently. Inspiring other recipients in our path to pay it forward in their walk with God can yield eternal dividends (Matthew 25:35-40).
There is no better example of these actions than those found in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Therefore, if we become more like Him in our sanctification, it would make sense to follow His example. For instance, he demonstrated the unfathomable humility of washing the feet of the disciples (John 13:4-15). The lowest servant in the household was typically responsible for such a duty, yet the God of the Universe willingly did this so that we would do the same for one another. He also cared for and healed the sick (Mark 1:40-45), welcomed and blessed the children (Matthew 19:13-15), reached out to societies outcasts (Luke 19:1-10), and spoke to a large crowd who He also fed instead of turning them away (Matthew 14:13-21). By any measure, Jesus Christ consistently demonstrated hospitality and His love through His actions. Therefore, we should follow His example and practice hospitality to the people we encounter.
Our motivation for every action we take is critical to take into account. Concerning Christian hospitality, we can find a sense of satisfaction intrinsic to such steps. After all, we know giving is a greater blessing than receiving (Acts 20:35). If we take action from a disposition of love, generosity, humility, and genuine desire to be a blessing to other people, we will find joy intrinsically and inextricably linked to the kind of actions we take. We recognize that God gave us all the strength, energy, resources, and capabilities required to provide a helping hand to those who need it. While we might be in a position to provide help now, there is no telling when we might be the ones who require assistance ourselves. Such a reality check affirms our vulnerability and humbles us to recall that we rely on God for everything. After all, all good and perfect gifts come from Him (James 1:17). Our ability to serve others is a privilege, not a burden.
It is vital to all of us that we do not over-extend ourselves and risk burning out in our service. We need self-awareness and discipline to take a step back when we require a proper dose of rest (Exodus 34:21). God encourages us to rest at least one day a week for a good reason. When we rest, we demonstrate our faith in God’s provision. Instead of trying to take everything into our hands, we surrender that control to God in faith (1 Peter 5:7). It is a blessing from God to enjoy these breaks because it is easy to get caught up in the race of our daily routines. We do not want to make productivity an idol, and we should learn to identify when to take a step back for prolonged rest as God calls us to do so. Consider how even small packets of rest in stillness build our trust in God. Take confidence that He is working things behind the scenes of our lives in our favor as He sees fit (Psalm 46:10). I recognize this is a challenging feat for those of us who have a strong work ethic and tend towards uncompromising diligence. Still, we would be foolish to neglect to embrace God’s gift (Galatians 6:9).
Ultimately it is a beautiful desire to do God’s work consistently. After all, our capacity to do so is directly enabled and directed by His providence. As long as we maintain a good balance between serving others and attending to our needs when appropriate, we will maximize our likelihood of succeeding. That way, we can demonstrate hospitality the way God intends. If you burn out from any excess, it is unhelpful to anyone, no matter how good your intentions may be.
We must recognize our limitations and remember that God supplies all our needs. I would suggest this is a skill for us to master because we live in a world that often promotes hustling and productivity to the extreme. Take care of yourself and open the door for your loved ones to offer a helping hand on occasion. There is no shame in it, and none of us is as invincible as we may think. These seasons take humility, but the better we get at correctly identifying these dynamics, the less frequently we will struggle to rest, recover, and return to effectively being God’s hands and feet (1 Corinthians 12:12-26). We all have different thresholds for this, so there is no one-size-fits-all answer, but I encourage you to learn your limits and draw boundaries to protect your well-being accordingly.
I pray that today’s article will compel you to demonstrate hospitality and seek God’s guidance on how He may desire you to do so. May God receive all the glory for all that we do. We are the salt of the earth and serve as a light in a dark world (Matthew 5:13-16). Let us not forget the urgency in pursuing God’s design for us in supporting one another in the process. None of us can ever go wrong by whole-heartedly, prayerfully, and humbly seeking God’s will. Keep fighting the good fight of faith and surrender to Him daily (1 Timothy 6:12). There is no better place to be than at the center of God’s will for you.
