I marvel at the hospitality of God. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit invite humankind to be devoted, to dwell together, to dialogue openly, and to desire passionately together. God invites us into His hospitable presence. He likes being with us (Exodus 25:8, John 1:14, Revelation 21:3).
Hospitable – Friendly and welcoming. A pleasant and favorable environment. The generous reception of others.
Jesus shows His followers the way of hospitality. During His time on earth, Jesus modeled how to be hospitable to the souls of others. Jesus welcomed all people. He expressed pleasure in meeting people and caring for them in the moment. His kind presence demonstrated extravagant love. He lingered, looked, listened, engaged longings, and loved deeply.
With the woman at the well (John 4), Jesus lingered. He sat unhurried, talking with a woman who longed for connection. Lingering with others seems challenging today. Hour by hour alarms and planned-out schedules often dictate the amount of time for “conversation” and degree of connection. The demands during the time of Jesus, although different, existed much as the same for today. Yet, to live hospitably, Jesus lingered, unrushed. He paused to be with the person in front of Him. Do we?
Linger with people this week. Practice living unhurried. Eat meals slowly. Converse on the phone without time constraints. Go for a walk; dawdle and notice the sky, plants, and sounds. Be generous with the time given you. Practice unrushed hospitality.
I imagine Jesus looking into the eyes of others, extending a hospitable presence. He saw the person in front of Him. In Luke 7, Jesus saw a widow mourning the death of her only son (verses 11-15). She said nothing to Jesus, yet He looked upon her and felt compassion. He didn’t look through her to the most important person on the path. He didn’t ignore the depth of her sorrow. He didn’t quality her commitment to Him as a disciple. Jesus looked at her, loved her, and cared for her. This, revealed the hospitable practice of Jesus.
Look at the people in your path. Pause to gaze at those with whom you talk. Pay attention to the people and situations you encounter. Consider the person before you without criticism or judgment; just love. Look at, not through others. Take in the outer demeanor and inner essence of people. Let love flow through your look, offering a hospitable presence.
To listen requires focus; a commitment to release distractions in order to be present. To live with a hospitable presence necessitates self control, patience, and resolve. Surrounded by a crowd of people, a desperate person reached out to touch Jesus. Jesus stopped his movement and looked for the person. He resolved to wait, and then a woman fell at His feet (Mark 5:24-35, Luke 8:42-48). She shared her story of ailment, alienation, and anguish. Jesus patiently lingered, listened, and understood. He responded to the woman’s sharing with love and release, positioning her for a new way of being.
Listen with the intention of understanding others. When offering a hospitable posture, be available with your whole being, which entails focus: a setting aside of distractions (like technology or work) and a deliberate desire to understand. Free of assumptions, listen to the spoken heartbeat of people. In order to be hospitable, resolve to slow in order to sit with the story of others.
Jesus asked questions which surfaced longings. Engaging hospitality involves curiosity. With questions Jesus evoked the deepest longings of the people before Him. With James and John, He asked them what they wanted. They openly revealed their longing which divulged misplaced desires (Mark 10:25-45).
Yet, their longings met the hospitable, deep love of Jesus without judgment. Jesus inquired of Bartimaeus about his desire. In this instance, Jesus extended hospitality as He lingered, looked, and listened while Bartimaeus shared his longing for healing. Jesus met this longing with His healing touch and Bartimaeus followed Jesus (Mark 10: 46-52).
Living hospitable captures the longings and desires of others. Questions and curiosity emerge as needful characteristics of hospitality. Notice the depth of your curiosity concerning others. Welcoming the dreams and desires of others ushers in a hospitable attitude and perspective. Without “knowing the answer,” ask people about their longings. Free of critique, let others dream in your presence. Encourage family, friends, and co-workers to pursue their longings with the Lord. Be supportive towards the passions and pursuits of those around you.
Love offers the foundation of being hospitable to the souls of others. When we love others with the love we receive from God, we live like God: hospitable. We become like Jesus, hospitable and welcoming with the people in our lives. Linger in an unhurried fashion. Look upon others with intention. Be curious and listen to understand the story of people’s lives. Welcome longings and desires without analysis and critique. Love others where they are and how they are, with the love and hospitable nature of God.
This week – – –
Reflect. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit invite you to be devoted, to dwell with Him, to dialogue openly, and to desire passionately. In what ways do you experience dwelling with God? How does He welcome your dialogue, desires, and devotion? Soak in Ephesians 3:16-17 – “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”
Request. Ask the Trinity to heighten your awareness of His lingering presence with you, His loving gaze upon you, and His tender attention to your longings. Be silent with God and listen to His heartbeat for you. What might He request of you? How does God invite you to live hospitably with the souls of others?
Receive. Welcome the hospitality of God to your soul. Notice the ways God meets you with His unhurried love. Imagine His loving gaze upon you. Thank God for listening without judgment. As you let the curiosity of God bring your longings to the surface, rest in His loving presence.
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Drips from the Word: Muse about these Bible verses. Let these truths impact your living.
Mark 10:51-52 – “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
Matthew 9:20-22 – Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.
Splashes from the Spigot: Drink from deep wells. Read these recommended books to fill your soul.
Jaime Erickson. Holy Hygge: Creating a Place for People to Gather and the Gospel to Grow. Chicago, IL. 2022.
Dustin Willis and Brandon Clement. The Simplest Way to Change the World: Biblical Hospitality as a Way of Life. Chicago, IL. 2017.
Sprinklings of Truth: Soak in meaningful songs. Check out these music videos to lift up your spirit.
Elevation Worship. In His Presence. Click here to watch & listen.
Chris Tomlin. God Who Listens (Lyric Video) feat. Thomas Rhett. Click here to watch and listen.
Puddles for Prayer: Thank you for praying for upcoming travel and speaking engagements.
April 11 – LIttleton, CO – Colorado Community Church, Prayer Ministry
April 24-May 3 – Lviv, Ukraine – Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary, The Care of Souls. upfmissions.org
May 18-22 – Littleton, CO – Denver Seminary, Certificate in Spiritual Direction Cohort
May 31-June 13 – Quarryville, PA – Black Rock Retreat, Summer Camp Staff Training
July 6-10 – Littleton, CO – Denver Seminary, Certificate in Spiritual Direction Cohort
July 13-21 – Kigali, Rwanda – Soul Care Retreat and Training, Life Link Rwanda