Hospitality is a mysterious word. To some it means entertaining people in their homes. Others seem to think it is an attitude of the heart. While others feel like it has to involve food. While others say that it is just something that some do because they have that "gift". Is it a spiritual gift? Is it something for everyone to practice or is it really just something some should practice? If it is for just a certain group of people, who then should practice it and how do you know it is or isn't you? This blog is dedicated to the search for answrs of these very questions. It is designed specifically for the purpose of giving you a place to dialogue with, wrestle with, and try to understand this word Hospitality.
I will begin this blog with these simple questions and the following scriptures. Take time to read, ponder, and comment. I look forward to the following discussions and hopefully new insights and a better understanding of this mysterious topic.
Hebrews 13:1&2
Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don't forget to show hoespitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without even realizing it!
Genesis 18:1-8
God appeared to Abraham at the Oaks of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent. It was the hottest part of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing. He ran from his tent to greet them and bowed before them.
He said, "Master, if it please you, stop for a while with your servant. I'll get some water so you can wash your feet. Rest under this tree. I'll get some food to refresh you on your way, since your travels have brought you across my path."
They said, "Certainly. Go ahead."
Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. He said, "Hurry. Get three cups of our best flour; knead it and make bread."
Then Abraham ran to the cattle pen and picked out a nice plump calf and gave it to the servant who lost no time getting it ready. Then he got curds and milk, brought them with the calf that had been roasted, set the meal before the men, and stood there under the tree while they ate.
I think hospitality is sharing of what you have. It doesn't have to be fancy. I like to use my real napkins when we have people over for dinner because they are nice to use and I like people to think that I think they are worth it. I think hospitality goes much further than dinner though...its just sharing who you are and what you have without expecting stuff in return or keeping score. Its loving people with your stuff. yep. that is it right there for me. Its loving people with my stuff.
ReplyDeleteHospitality is sharing what you have ultimately, but I believe the true sense of hospitality must be deeper than just sharing our stuff, right? Sharing your stuff in the sense you are speaking of... in having people to dinner... can easily flirt with the idea of entertaining and yes it might be sharing your stuff and your time, it could possibly leave out a key ingredient to hospitality and that is an open... fully open heart. Entertaining can be a very selfish thing and hospitality in its truest form must be void completely of all selfishness.
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