Spiritual Hospitality
This year God has been teaching me about hospitality. Ever since experiencing scriptural and spiritual hospitality in very tangible ways this spring, I have been wanting to learn to practice spiritual hospitality myself.
Do not forget or neglect or refuse to extend hospitality to strangers [in the brotherhood—being friendly, cordial, and gracious, sharing the comforts of your home and doing your part generously], for through it some have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2, AMP)
It’s important to realize as Christine Pohl points out “A life of hospitality begins in worship, with a recognition of God’s grace and generosity. Hospitality is not first a duty and responsibility; it is first a response of love and gratitude for God’s love and welcome to us.”
We are indeed called to spiritual hospitality. How could we practice it? What could it mean in each of our lives? The Holy Spirit will work differently in each of our lives and that’s the beauty of it. There’s no one-size-fits-all spiritual hospitality. It is the Living God working within each of us uniquely.
Today, as I was finishing reading through the Revelation to John, I realized something new for me about spiritual hospitality.
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. (Rev.22:17, NIV)
Spiritual hospitality is not ‘just’ about opening our homes and hearts to strangers. Spiritual hospitality is about inviting people to Jesus. Spiritual hospitality is about saying “Come, my friend, to church this Sunday”.
This means….if we do not invite others to come to Jesus….we are spiritually inhospitable. And that goes against everything Jesus taught us and what he sent us to do in this world.
Gracious God,
Have mercy on us.
Forgive us for being inhospitable
and not sharing your gifts.
Let us truly learn that
there is enough grace for all of us.
Teach us how to practice spiritual hospitality
wherever we are.
Show us how to love others like you do.
Equip and empower us to invite others to you.
Enable all of us to dance together for your glory.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Q4U: How do you practice spiritual hospitality?
Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you invite people to Jesus!
Photo courtesy of Mari-Anna Stålnacke. Linking up today with Sharing His Beauty, Small Wonders.
10 thoughts on “Spiritual Hospitality”
Good morning from Sharing His Beauty! I’ve spent a lot of time pondering this thing of hospitality because it is so clearly commanded, it is so obviously needed in the body, and it can be a real challenge. I’ve come to think of it as a spiritual discipline, and the Lord is helping me to be others-focused, rather than worrying about everything in my home being “perfect.” Blessings to you this Monday!
Good morning, Michele! Thank you for sharing your experiences and thoughts on hospitality. So helpful! We all need to focus more on our visitors than on the state of our homes. Glad to know there are others practicing spiritual hospitality! Blessings to you as you bless others!
Found your blog on Sharing His Beauty and I love this. This idea is a huge part of my heart behind my blog too! I think inviting people into our home is one of the best ways to invite them into our stories and into life with Jesus. I want people to walk through my front door and feel loved and safe to share their story, no matter how broken or hard or joyful it is. Thanks for sharing this!
Glad you found your way over here because it is delightful to meet others who (also want to) practice spiritual hospitality. Thank you so much. Abundant blessings to you and yours!
What a joyous phrase: “Spiritual hospitality.” And the thought of inviting others to Jesus delights me. So many times we hear “leading someone to Christ.” But an invitation is beautiful.
It is a joyous phrase indeed! Thank you, Pamela, for sharing your thoughts. God bless you, sis!
Hospitality begins with worship. Love that! Hospitality is something I have to keep working on, but maybe I’ve been starting at the wrong spot. Thanks for this, Mari-Anna.
This does give hospitality a new spin, doesn’t it? Glad to hear it blessed you too. Thank you, Lisa. You are a treasure. Be always blessed.
Spiritual hospitality means inviting people to Jesus…oh I just love that so much! And I haven’t been doing a very good job of that. Thank you for encouragement to step up my game!
Glad you love it too. It was a great discovery for me. God is so good. Thank you, Laura. Abundant blessings to you and you step up your game in hospitality!