John 14:1-3, "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in Me. There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you, so that you will always be with me where I am."
God commands us to be hospitable and I think He does this because He desires for our hearts to be engaged. Ever heard these quotes? -
"Wherever your treasure is there will your heart be also."
"Home is where the heart is."
"Your treasure is always connected to your time."
"A happy heart produces a happy home."
In the verses in John, Jesus is telling us where His heart is. He is concerned about us. He desires that we don't worry. He desires that our hearts not be troubled. He has this place and He is going there (and is there now!) to PREPARE a place for us. He cares for our needs and also gives us an example of how we should get our hearts in the right place as well.
Whatever people spend time on, is what is most important to them. As we think about hospitality and our conversation about getting our hearts involved, we see one of the keys to getting our hearts involved. It is simply preparation.
Think about the last time you opened your home to people for a meal or a game night. You probably did some sort of preparation didn't you. Let me give you an example of what I mean. Last Friday my wife and I decided to invite some people over for dinner and to play some games. In deciding to do this we were making a decision to get our heart involved because it was going to take time to prepare. Let's look at the list of things that needed to happen for this night to take place:
1. We had to have a discussion about who to invite. (if you are married discussion and communication is important)
2. We had to make phone calls, send texts, and even drive to a government housing project to get in touch with some people that didn't have a phone.
3. We had to plan the meal, and work out the details of what everyone was going to bring.
4. We had to take time to go to the store and buy supplies. (you can't grill without charcoal)
5. We had to clean the house and pick up the yard.
Each of these things needed to happen in order for the night to be a success. we had to be engaged with the process of hospitality way before the party actually happened and people showed up. This process is vital for getting our hearts prepared to connect and minister to those who came. The night turned out awesome by the way! We had so much fun and all the kids had a great time and we even put the smack down on some kids at the park. (we can't let strangers talk smack to us about our ball skills now can we?)
As I thought about the night and what made it so great...I decided that it really was a success and we had a great time becuase of the preparation. Even Jesus who is God, said He was going to prepare a place for each of us, it means that there is something to the preparation process. My opinion - it is important because true hospitality starts in the heart, and the only way your heart can get involved is if time and effort have taken place.
So the next time you are thinking of having someone over for dinner or throwing a party, take time to enjoy the preparation. It is part of the process, and if the process becomes fun for you, your heart will naturally become hospitable.
Preparation is Vital!
