Communities represent a group of people that have shared locations or common goals. All of us are hard-wired to foster these connections. God created us with an innate desire for social interaction (Genesis 2:18). The truth is no one is an island. Sooner or later, we all need to lean on our tribe. Investing in those people is essential for improving the community and ourselves. How can we otherwise receive and share God’s love (John 13:34-35)? 

Finding the proper balance of sowing and reaping is essential (Galatians 6:7-9). If all we do is give of our time, energy, and efforts, we eventually face burnout. No one can sustain that without finding nourishment in God and His people (Matthew 4:4). If all we do is receive from others, we will not discover the joy and satisfaction of sharing our gifts, talents, and resources (Acts 20:35). Your local Church is ideal for meeting with like-minded believers and experiencing this beautiful dynamic first-hand.

In God’s eyes, you bring something significant to the table. Share it with the world!

God designed us with unique gifts and talents (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). We all bring something to the table that God wants us to use to glorify Him (1 Corinthians 10:31). When we love, serve, and edify one another, we empower each other to do God’s work more effectively (1 Thessalonians 5:11; John 13:34-35). Doing this also positions us better to help those beyond our Church. 

For example, a Bible study group at Church may encourage us to reach out to a non-believer and share God’s Word (Mark 16:15). Alternatively, we may feel compelled by other believers to participate in a volunteer opportunity that feeds, clothes, and shelters, or provides supplies for the less fortunate (Matthew 25:40). Even if you were motivated to work on this task alone, it would be challenging to be as efficient or effective as a team unified to accomplish the same goal.

Our sanctification blossoms when fellowship opportunities abound!

Serving each other allows us to grow in Christ-likeness. We might acquire Biblical insight alone, but what good does it do if we don’t put it in motion? What good does it serve to capture knowledge without exercising the wisdom it should inspire? The Church opens the door for us to do so in various ways.

For instance, we might offer a loved one a listening ear and empathy for them to come to a sound conclusion (Proverbs 19:20-21). We can provide counsel that speaks to a situation they are going through (Proverbs 11:14). Your friend may be struggling with a challenge in their spiritual journey, relationship, career, or another area of life and could use your support in making a well-informed decision. Since we are outside the problem, our objective perspective often offers a worthwhile outlook. Having been on both sides of this equation, I can attest to the immense benefits of forming alliances with our Church family.

Encouraging forgiveness among church members is likewise crucial (Matthew 18:21-22). Churches must promote this value to strengthen relationships and foster community. The reality is our human nature leads even the best of us to fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). No matter what congregation you visit. You will encounter imperfect people. Eventually, someone will let you down, and it is likely only a matter of time before you do the same. We can honor God by forgiving others as He forgives us (Matthew 6:14-15).

The self-awareness of knowing our flaws should provide ample motivation to forgive others. Sometimes it may be challenging and take a substantial amount of time to pardon an offense. But we should streamline this process because harboring unforgiveness, resentment, bitterness, or anger serves no one. An attitude like this hinders our progress and derails us from moving forward in peace (Romans 12:18).

In severe cases, it’s possible that forgiving someone is what God wants for you, but that doesn’t imply you should expose yourself to the same kind of hurt again. However, we should avoid cutting ties prematurely. All of us are susceptible to wronging others. One day it will be our turn to request a similar pardon for our mistakes. If God has forgiven the unforgivable in us, we need to demonstrate our love and patience in forgiving others (1 Peter 4:8, Mark 11:25).

Our success depends on mutual reliance.

Recognizing our weaknesses and exercising humility is essential to navigating life in God’s way (1 Peter 1:24-25). It is a difficult task for those who have yet to experience life’s most tremendous hardships. They might find themselves oblivious to our frailty until they must endure it first-hand. However, acknowledging that we need each other provides an antidote to our pride (James 4:6; Ecclesiastes 4:10). How else would we understand true resilience comes from God’s providence rather than human effort (Joshua 1:9)?

Understanding human fragility provides a compelling reason to comfort those undergoing extraordinary challenges. It also puts us in a position to accept prayer, help, and other support when needed. Whether God offers us support by supernatural means or through our community is His call. Either way, we should keep sight of the fact that He is sovereign, and we must submit to His will (Ephesians 1:11; Romans 12:2).

There is beauty in helping without keeping score.

We should refrain from offering our help with the expectation of anything in return. Exercising generosity for human recognition may detract from the eternal significance of what we do (Matthew 6:1-2). Avoiding expectation also absolves us from keeping tabs and developing a form of social obligation. Instead, we can offer support when it is within our power without further expectation (Luke 6:35-36). Trust God to surround you with help when you need it most (Psalm 46:1). Rest assured that God is more than capable of resolving all your problems (Psalm 50:14-15). Finally, we must be patient in our endurance (Hebrews 10:35-37).

There is no need to worry that He will not provide for your essentials when He even assures us the birds of the air get fed (Matthew 6:26-27). How much more will He help you? Remember, God created us in His image (Genesis 1:27)! Human beings are the crown jewel of His creation. So take comfort that you matter to God more than you can comprehend. Without Him, we cannot accomplish anything of eternal significance, but with Jesus Christ, we are more than conquerors ( John 15:55; Romans 8:31-37).

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.

As with many other things in life, exercising moderation and finding the balance that best suits you should be your consistent aspiration. I would venture to say there is no one size fits all answer regarding the frequency of seclusion versus the time we spend with people because we are not duplicates of one another. There are also many moving parts to consider before establishing the pattern that best suits you. For instance, some of us are introverted by nature and will gravitate towards more independence to attain rest and peace. Meanwhile, extroverted people might derive comfort and joy from maximizing time spent with people. Examples of additional factors to help determine the best balance for you include the following:

• Current energy levels.
• Knowing our limits (i.e., stamina, stress, physical needs, etc.)
• Patterns of behavior. (i.e., recent activities, exposure of the senses to stimuli or lack thereof, etc.)

Recognizing these variables and considering the many that remain unmentioned above makes it challenging to determine optimal circumstances for ourselves, let alone for people in the aggregate. Interestingly, solitude provides us ample time to reflect and grow to learn what we need, want, and hope to achieve. However, liabilities like loneliness or depression can creep in if we over-emphasize it at the expense of spending time with loved ones.

Many of us, including those who identify as introverts, conceded that the recent epidemic we collectively faced stretched our affinity for alone time. Despite the connectivity technological advances provided through social media and apps like Zoom, almost everyone I recall speaking with afterward was thankful to reconnect with people again. It is not a stretch to conclude that parts of our physical, mental, and spiritual wellness rely on seeing people face-to-face and interacting beyond our computer screens. There is no denying that we are all social on some level. It is just a matter of determining where each of us lands on that spectrum that helps us pinpoint the proper balance of solitude and community that works for us accordingly.

As believers, this should indicate how vital it is to be the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13-16). Sharing God’s love with those we encounter may seem like a small, unnecessary, or even inconsequential gesture to us at the moment. However, these moments have the power to change the trajectory of people’s lives. We have no idea what some people have faced throughout the day, let alone their lives before we run into them. Opening someone’s door, lending a helping hand, or sharing God’s Word could lead to a tipping point in the right direction (Philippians 2:1-4). A lifetime of acts such as these may translate to eternal blessing for them and eternal reward for us (Matthew 6:19-21). We might even experience the privilege of leading some to come to saving faith in Jesus Christ and avoid eternity in hell (Romans 1:16, Isaiah 55:11)!

Balancing intentionality with our solitude and immersing ourselves in our local Church community assists us in overcoming the numerous distractions that contend for our attention. Unfortunately, it is easy to get caught up in the motions and forget to be intentional with our resources, time, and energy (1 Peter 4:10, Luke 16:1-13). Looking for the thrill of our next moment of instant gratification, we may resort to things like excessive social media, pornography, drugs, sex, alcohol, and so forth. These can develop into harmful patterns of behavior and even sinful addictions if left unchecked. Such dead-end roads reward us with unearned, momentary dopamine releases that feel extremely good for the moment and leave behind a wake of pain, stress, anxiety, worry, or even depression to cope with later (Romans 6:20-23). If behaviors like these become habitual, they typically motivate us to pursue more extreme measures involving a higher quantity and extended duration of exposure to acquire similar highs.

Thankfully, when we fight alongside other believers and encourage one another to overcome such setbacks, we can develop accountability and extra lines of defense before these detrimental behaviors get out of control (1 Peter 5:8-9). We must avoid the traps above and instead enjoy God-given pleasures responsibly in their time while we repent of the sinful ones with God’s help (Acts 3:19). For instance, we can enjoy sex in a marriage relationship between a man and woman with God’s blessing. In contrast, outside of marriage, it is a sinful endeavor. We must refrain from settling for the fool’s gold the devil has to offer if we want to experience God’s best. After all, He is the One Who invented sex. It is worth noting some things are intrinsically wrong. For example, pornography is immoral, and we should fight to avoid it consistently (Matthew 5:28). Thankfully, when we know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we can cling to His promises to us. He has set us free from slavery to such sins (Romans 6:20-22). If we reach out to Him for help, He will assist us. We can rest assured He has won the war over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). Thus, we no longer need to live in condemnation (Romans 8:1).

Whether in a period of solitude or with your loved ones, remember you can always reach out to them for help. There is a reason God has empowered you to help others, and I would bet that those you have invested in will gladly be there for you when you need it most. If all else fails, God Himself will always be with you and never leave or forsake you (Isaiah 41:10, Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5-8). Take comfort in His presence and provisions today!

“25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”

Matthew 16:25 (NKJV).

When we pursue self-preservation, we do not reach the greatest return on investment in an eternal sense. Furthermore, albeit counter-intuitively, when we serve God, we deny ourselves temporal pleasures for a lasting sense of purpose and satisfaction here on earth as well. Once we develop a taste for accomplishing the will of God, we will no longer find the same joy elsewhere. We will see our old pet sins and idols for the fruitless and time-consuming nature they inherently possess. We will never regret denying ourselves earthly pleasures for eternal blessings (Luke 9:23, Romans 8:18). If the sacrifices we make are for better positioning ourselves to glorify God, we will eventually see the byproduct of those decisions.

It is entirely in God’s hands what aspect of His blessings we will enjoy here on earth and which others manifest themselves in Heaven forever (Luke 18:29-30). I would venture to say frequently the things worth pursuing involve calculated risks. If the reward is immediate and there is little to no sacrifice involved, it typically indicates that such endeavors are not worthy of our time. Therefore, we need to condition ourselves to think long-term concerning our choices. Our daily activities should serve a greater purpose down the road.

Of course, there is a time and place to enjoy God’s blessing of rest and seize opportunities to appreciate leisure activity (Matthew 11:28). However, the more significant portion of our time should question each action based on its merit from an eternal vantage point. It takes discipline and sacrifice to write a book, edit it, find an agent, pursue a traditional publisher, and bring it to market. While this process doesn’t happen overnight, you will see your work come to fruition if you stick with it. If the book has content that will lead others to Jesus Christ or encourage existing believers to further their walk, there is more than enough motivation to fuel your efforts (Acts 20:24, Matthew 28:19-20). This journey can bring a writer great satisfaction and joy, but it is undoubtedly not something even the best authors can do in a short time frame.

One noteworthy thing to consider is that we find our area of giftedness that we can apply to serve God before we embark on the journey. You may see me write a book, but you won’t see me pursue a singing career as a Christian music artist. These are both creative outlets that have the potential to honor and bring glory to God, but they are different skill sets. I know that I am not a skilled vocalist. Sometimes, it takes some honest introspection to come to terms with this, especially when your dream involves something you’re not naturally adept at. On the flip side, a good work ethic has a lot to do with it, so we don’t want to get prematurely discouraged and dismiss our potential. There is a possibility that if you stick with something you love for long enough, in due time, the practice will differentiate you as a tremendous talent. With that said, it helps a great deal to have some natural aptitude at what you commit your time to do.

Over the years, I have realized some people excel at their craft but do not get the chance to share it on a large platform. Meanwhile, others who are arguably inferior in their ability do so on a massive scale (Ecclesiastes 9:11). Therefore, I take comfort in serving God, whether it is in relative obscurity or with a worldwide audience. While my reach may be small, our God is infinitely vast. As long as I put in my side of the effort, which His grace empowers, He may decide to exalt me in terms of developing a broader audience.

There’s no shame in reaching out to a small number of people with the Gospel. If all an entire lifetime of my writings did was lead one person to come to saving faith, it would be 100% worthwhile. God may even delight specifically in observing my motivations do not revolve around achieving fame or monetary compensation above serving my Creator. Another possibility is that He is preparing me for that in the future. There are times God may decide to shape our character, teach us lessons, or equip us through experiences before our exaltation occurs (Matthew 23:11-12).

The last thing we should want to do is risk finding fame or fortune and losing our intimate relationship with God in the process. How often have we heard of stories where believers were not ready for the challenges of the platform they obtained? In a nutshell, we must truly desire to make less of ourselves and more of God before making that kind of transition (John 3:30). Otherwise, we may be exposed to pride or lose our identity amid people making a bigger deal about us than they should. We know that all the talents, gifts, and resources are all God’s. If we lose sight of that and our humility, it may prove a lethal combination and destroy the credibility of our ministry efforts (Proverbs 16:18).

In the end, we should keep our eyes on Jesus Christ and eternity to determine the appropriate short-term and long-term goals. If we desire to reflect Him in what we do, it will display itself in the majority of our actions (John 13:13-15). For instance, it’s not a good enough reason to pursue a relationship or marriage solely because you think it might make you happy or fill a void. Instead, we should determine if we glorify God more together with that person than if we remain single. Ask yourself if the person shares your values and encourages you to draw closer to God or pulls you further away from Him (“The Surpassing Goal: Marriage Lived for the Glory of God” by John Piper).

Another example may involve making a transition to a new career. You might want to question whether there are any ethical dilemmas associated with your new job. Is there anything in your potential new role that requires you to violate your Christian convictions? Another consideration revolves around the opportunity cost of the shift. Will you have less free time to dedicate to serving and ministry efforts that are a critical part of your goals? If you make a modest salary at a job that affords you the possibility of sowing seeds of the Gospel, you might want to think twice before you change career paths solely based on a higher salary, for instance. There are so many variables to consider that we need to assess them on a case-by-case basis accordingly. As such, it is critical to pray and rely on the multitude of counselors that God may have graciously surrounded us with for their input when appropriate (Proverbs 11:14).

Instead of making hasty decisions based on our emotions or even sound logic, bringing it to God in prayer is always an advisable course of action (James 1:5). Who knows how much trouble you might avoid and eternally valuable seeds you might be able to sow by simply making one more good choice and avoiding a bad one. Moreover, if we set apart some time to contemplate everything with God before making decisions, it can alter the course of our entire lives and our ability to do good works for God in the future.

However, no matter how much we pray and prepare, we are imperfect, and eventually, specific issues require a leap of faith (“What is a leap of faith?” GotQuestions.org). May God help us all as we take that leap with a desire to invest our lives in the things that matter. Let our motivations revolve around our Maker instead of maximizing personal pleasure or earthly gain. If He sees that His glory is our inspiration, I am confident that He will not allow us to stumble permanently (Proverbs 24:16). Instead, he will rescue us from pitfalls and provide ways of escape from temptation to help us navigate a better future as we learn to lean on Him perpetually (1 Corinthians 10:13). 

There are some interesting side effects of focusing outside of ourselves. Perhaps it never rings truer than when we apply this energy and attention to the matters that God wants us to direct our focus. I cannot remember when I felt any regret after pursuing God’s will. On the contrary, there is a strong association with giving our time, energy, and effort that correlates with personal satisfaction. As our Lord and Savior said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).” There is joy and peace associated with executing God’s purposes with a cheerful attitude. While the aspects of being a cheerful giver in a monetary sense are explicitly stated in God’s Word, serving God in many other forms with a similar disposition has proven to be a significant blessing in my life (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).

Another noteworthy aspect of looking outside oneself is avoiding idolatry of our situation. As mentioned above, there may be seasons where you need to look out for yourself with God’s help to sustain yourself. Situations that require radical attention to one’s care are part of life as it often gets quite challenging. However, looking at the big picture, it is crucial to avoid doing this exclusively at the expense of generosity. Instead, we ought to open our hearts to the needs of others because in fulfilling those needs, we will see that God often meets our needs in the process (Proverbs 11:25). When we find ourselves in a situation to offer a helping hand, counsel a friend, or volunteer to help someone in need, we are simultaneously relying on God to help us continue to look after ourselves. Rather than the emptiness found in seeking pleasure, comfort, and luxuries for ourselves at all times, we instead get to enjoy the fruits of our labor for others (Philippians 2:3-4). 

How often have we seen those who appear to have everything the world offers face intense personal turmoil? It doesn’t take much time to observe a lack of fulfillment, direction, and satisfaction plague even those with the most money, fame, and power. There is deceitfulness about the riches in this life and the numerous, fleeting allures of the flesh (Mark 4:18-20). But, of course, having a lot of money is not always a curse when we approach it with a desire to steward it for the glory of God. If God equips you to do so, it can be a responsibility that He can bless you with the wisdom to allocate appropriately (Mark 25:14-30). 

The key is that He would guide our motivations and that we would submit to His will with it. It becomes a problem when we seek it for personal enrichment alone without consideration for what God would lead us to do with it. After all, if our entire lives genuinely revolve around the will of God, then we should also surrender our finances to His lead. Granted, we’re not all called to sell all we have and donate it outright, as we observe in the parable of the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:21-22). However, that doesn’t take away from the responsibility involved with what we do with it. If we utilize a good portion of it for the things of God over the long haul, we will experience those fruits. Putting money to work for God will yield eternal reward, and there is no better investment than that. To do so successfully takes consistent prayer, generosity, and open-mindedness to the commands of God when we know He is guiding us in a particular direction. 

One last aspect of outward focus that deserves attention is deciding how to allot our time. If our hearts are fully seeking God, the way we invest our time will reflect that reality. Remember, where we invest our treasure is a vital indicator of the status of our hearts (Matthew 6:19-21). It may not be a common realization or at least something we don’t always consider, but time is among our greatest treasures here on earth. Each passing minute is one we will not have the chance to assign to another pursuit again. As such, we should consider doing things for God with a sense of urgency. There is a limited amount of time on earth, but every minute has the potential to have an eternal impact (Ephesians 5:15-21). For instance, taking proactive steps to pursue evangelism opportunities, interceding in prayer, or actively utilizing our God-given talents could yield eternal blessings. The key is that we don’t allow this urgency to stress us out but abide in God as we serve Him with intentionality. Doing His work should not become a heavy burden, and we need to seek Him to refresh us when we feel weary (Galatians 6:9, Matthew 11:28-30). 

At the end of our lives, we will not regret one minute invested in seeking God and building His Kingdom. I cannot say the same for the time we squandered pursuing the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). Thankfully, if you are reading this as a believer, you no longer have to concern yourself with the weight of past mistakes. Surrender your cares to God, and move on with the complete confidence that you do not need to dwell in condemnation anymore (Romans 8:1). Once God has forgiven you, forgive yourself, repent, and pursue God in such a way that demonstrates you have learned from your mistakes. Once you do that, there is nothing that will be able to hold you back from accomplishing God’s will, and your sacrifices on this earth will one-day yield everlasting blessings none of us can even fathom (Romans 8:18). May God bless you with the desires of your heart as you continually seek to align those longings with His will for you (Psalm 37:4).