The Gift of Unconditional Hospitality
By Laura Bailey
Bible Reading
“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” – 1 Peter 4:9 NIV
I struggle to let things go. I have to work hard not to keep score or have a tit-for-tat mentality. I fight this battle all year, but it is especially true around the holidays.
In my case, it is not actually about gifts because I sincerely enjoy giving more than receiving. My struggle is with special holiday events like parties and dinners, which evoke the feeling that I make more effort in this area than those around me.
I have always been the party planner of any group because I am a “gatherer.” Even as a teenager and throughout my college years, I just accepted the role of planner, knowing that I was always going to be the one to bring people together. After I landed my first real job, got married, and bought a house, I was eager to have people over. See, I enjoy hosting parties. I love to cook and bake and just talk with people.
But sadly, over the past few years, I have lost some of the joy of hosting. I became bitter if someone didn’t come to an event I hosted or if they didn’t invite me to one of their parties.
My husband and I started getting involved in our church a few years ago. Our church didn’t have a strong community of young couples and families, so we made it our mission to bring everyone together. We were so excited to open our home and thought people would be clamoring to spend time together. Except, very few people came to anything we hosted.
We developed a negative view of “outreach,” saying, “Well, you know what? If people around us don’t care, then neither do we!" For about a year, I let these feelings of what I thought were rejection and just people not caring enough about me rule my thoughts.
But a friend asked me one day, “Do you enjoy having people over to your house? Do you enjoy preparing your home and making food for people to fellowship? And more importantly, do you feel God uses you to minister to others by planning events and bringing people together?” The answer was “YES!” to all of those questions! So that same sweet friend said, “Then stop believing those lies!”
I had become so focused on keeping score that I did not enjoy the time spent with the friends who did come over. Remember, Jesus is willing to leave the 99 to save the one ( Matthew 18:12). It’s not about numbers; it's about the person. The Bible tells us often that if our lives are just about leading one person to Christ, our work is not in vain.
So I encourage you, especially as we enter the fast-approaching season of gift-giving, parties, festivities, and life in general: Don’t let the enemy steal your joy; don’t let him turn your zeal for the Lord into disappointment; don’t give up on reaching out to others in your community, church, workplace, or even your family. Christ was rejected many times, and He still is, yet He has not given up on us.
He always loves and cares for us; I do not deserve His faithfulness. How often have I not “shown up” when He asked me? How usually have I let my relationship fall to the wayside when something “better” came along? I am thankful that a merciful and gracious Heavenly Father has given me a second, third chance -- a billion chances. Now is our opportunity to provide the same to others.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you think about this holiday season, how can you exercise some of God’s grace and give people the benefit of the doubt, throw away the scorecard, and open your homes and, ultimately, your hearts to those around you, no matter the response or outcome?
Further Reading:
How to Use Hospitality for Outreach
Hebrews 10:25
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/SolStock
She lives in Upstate South Carolina with her husband and three young girls, where she serves as director of women's ministries at her church. Her passion is teaching the Bible to women, equipping them to live with an eternal perspective. Invite Laura to speak at your next event or learn more: www.LauraRBailey.com
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