Proverbs 18:24 ...A man that hath friends must show himself friendly...
I am thinking how my life would change if I lived everyday looking for people that need my hospitality and then being intentional about showing it. I am a creature of habit and fancy myself as being friendly. However, I recognize that I am more readily friendly with those I am familiar with.
What relationships am I missing in my life because I do not go out of my way to be hospitable.
When I think about the people that I admire the most, all of them are incredibly hospitable. HELLO, that is probably why I was drawn to them in the first place.
I have met people that I have come to respect and see as great leaders. They have a common attribute. When I am around them they make me feel that I am so special. All of their attention is turned toward me even if I am only in their presence for a few minutes. I go away thinking "wow".
I believe that I could stretch my influence a lot further if I just made a decision to be hospitable and even radically hospitable with people that cross my path on a daily basis. The only thing it is really going to cost me is a little time. Yeah, that's right, the most precious commodity that I possess.
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People choose their friends. Being radically hospitable means to me I am not choosing my friends, but accepting and reaching out to those who cross my path. I believe those who cross my path are there for a reason. I believe God's plan for me is to reach out to all people, making their encounter with me and my surroundings safe, nonthreatening. Yes, friendly is the word; however, there are those days I'm not feeling friendly because of circumstances, etc. On those days, I ask the Holy Spirit to fill me to overflowing and for His words to roll off my tongue. Don't know if that makes any sense, but there it is. One thing I am certain of, that in this world of mockery, judgment, and condemnation it is refreshing when someone reaches out to me in my weakness and in my strengths. I also believe in this, sincerity is key. We are all given at least a measure of discernment for a reason. Thank you, Pastor, for the opportunity.
Being radically hospitable to me is the beginning of building relationships with individuals. As an educator, I know that all of the research suggests that the single most important factor involved when reaching students is to build trust and to let them know that you care. Additionally, relationship building is important with coworkers in order to build teams in order to get the job done.
The research backs being friendly, but somehow I believe as a child of Christ that I need to go much further. I believe that the fact that Christ accepts me should be the motivating factor that allows me to accept others and risk opening up myself to being a friend. The early Christian church grew because of their excitment and friendliness to others and the world could see a difference. I believe that we could change our worlds if we really practiced this....much like those early Christians did. Wow, how effective our schools would be if we risked being radically hospitable! Even more so, how effective I could be as a representative of the goodness of God.
Great post Joe.
Good post, Joe. I hope that sometime you'll pick up a copy of Five Practices of Fruitful Congregatgions, and have a read. I've been amazed at how many pastors, lay leaders, church councils, and retreat leaders have found the book helpful across denominational lines. The words describing the practices are edgy and provative and stretch us to rethink our discipleship. You're right on target! God bless you in your ministry, R Schnase...author of Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations
Time is so important......and to just give a little bit you can buy so much with that!
Thanks Bp Schnase for your suggestion about the book. I just placed an order from Barnes and Noble.
"Wow, how effective our schools would be if we risked being radically hospitable! Even more so, how effective I could be as a representative of the goodness of God." I know someone who demonstrates just this. His name is Oscar . . . --Debbie
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