| Romans 12:13 – “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Take every opportunity to open your life and home to others.” |
Have you ever felt ostracized from a ‘click’? I’m pretty sure we all have at one time or another. We’ve been that person standing by ourselves feeling a little uncomfortable amongst a bunch of people who are apparent friends having a good time. It’s refreshing when they pull us into their conversation. It’s always nice to feel accepted and included, even if it is just for a short conversation.
Many of us are content with our own group of friends and not comfortable reaching out adding new people to the ‘group’. But my experience is that when I do reach out, I make a friend for myself and sometimes for everyone in the group.
The closer I grow in my love for the Lord, the more I grow in my love for those that I may not automatically ‘click’ with. Sometimes when I am at church hanging with my friends, and I see someone that is standing off by themselves, I call them over and just include them in the conversation. It may go something like this: “Hey, come here, you gotta hear this… Mary is telling us about what happened today, it’s hilarious.” I might take them by the arm to lovingly pull them into the group. Most all the time, the isolated person puts a smile on and heads our way. Sometimes they start chatting and fit right in. Sometimes, they may just stand there and listen, being too shy to talk, but just happy to be included. The Lord has blessed me with unexpected lifetime friends when I honor Him in this way. Take every opportunity to open your life to others. You will be blessed.
Fellowship with each other is a very real need for the saints. I had a Sunday School teacher that exemplified hospitality with opening his home to others. About 40 years ago, at the end of Sunday school, he asked everyone to bring a dish and come to his house the following Friday night for dinner and to play ’42’ dominos. I think every one of us came and we all learned how to play ‘42’. We had so much fun being together, that since then, we’ve met the first Friday of every month for over 40 years to eat and play ’42’. This is a great example of how the Lord bears fruit through our good works. All through one act of hospitality, He developed a close bond of lifetime friendships.
What might the Lord do through your act of inclusion and hospitality?
-Vicki Rance
