Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:9
David came home exceptionally late from a work retreat Wednesday night. Thursday morning he told me that he was just about to burn out, that going and giving too much was taking its toll.
I knew he'd be home by seven o'clock that Thursday night, and I decided to make his evening one he would really enjoy. I wanted David to feel special. I wanted to share hospitality, to go out of my way to make him feel welcome in our home.
I planned a big meal—grilled fish, baked potatoes, salad, and ice cream with blueberries—for dinner that night. I knew that David loves to sit on our deck, so I planned for us to spend some time out there that evening. I planned to fire up the hot tub after that, so he could totally relax before bed.
"Going out of my way"—doing a little extra, foregoing my convenience out of love for another—is often what hospitality is all about. Selfishness, or thinking more highly of my own agenda than that of another, can be a major obstacle to this kind of hospitality.
On the other hand, reflecting on the selfless giving of the Son encourages hospitality. We see Him "going out of His way" as He left heaven to humble Himself to the point of death (see Philippians 2:8). Throughout the pages of the Gospels, we see Christ choosing to give caring priority to others. His example is encouraging and convicting.
I want my home to reflect Christ's kind of hospitality. I want those who visit to feel that hospitality, but more important than that, I want those who live there to dwell in it daily.
In what specific ways can you "go out of your way" to make your home a place of hospitality?
Father, give me ways to make my home a place of Your kind of hospitality.
