JULY 08 “FEATURES/CHARACTERISTICS OF GODLY INTIMACY: HOSPITALITY WITHOUT BIAS”

True intimacy shows hospitality not just to friends, but also to strangers and those seen as “not important”. In the early church, all who came to Jesus were welcomed in His name, regardless of their background. Hospitality shows a heart that mirrors Christ’s inclusive love.

Mariam always went home alone after service. She was a new and quiet member, who dressed differently. One Sunday, a young couple invited her to their home for lunch without knowing anything about her background. That simple meal turned into a lasting friendship. They later learned she had just relocated after fleeing religious violence in another part of the country. She later became an active and passionate worker in the vineyard. All it took was a warm gesture and an open heart.

Extending warmth to others impartially, can sometimes stretch us beyond our natural tendencies. This is more so when we are shy of relating to others outside “our familiar circle”. However, when we open up our hearts for God to use (Isa 6:8), our instincts to hold back or judge others fades away and we are able to show true hospitality driven by love.

Practice It: Invite someone outside your usual circle for a meal or chat this week. Book an outing with them ahead (as an individual or as a family) and go to a place where you can relax and get to know more about each other.

PRAYER: Most glorious Father, help me to open my heart and my space to others, not based on how they look or where they come from, but because they are Yours. Teach me to welcome people without judgment, showing the same grace You have shown me in the name of Jesus, Amen.