Does Your Face Show Hospitality?
Have you ever looked up the word hospitality to see what it means? Dictionary.com defines this word as “the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.”
I love reading about words and the meanings behind them, but the reason this word became so important to me is because of what a dear, older lady accused me of one time after church on a Wednesday night. It’s a long story and I will spare you the unnecessary details, but this lady whom I’d known since I was a young girl, called me out on what she thought I had done to her that night.
I hadn’t actually “done” anything, but she accused me of glaring at her as she passed by. I vividly remember this night. I was sick with terrible stomach cramps that I sometimes get as a result of having endometriosis. I’m sure my face accurately depicted what I was feeling, and I know I was not smiling. We talked, and I told her how sorry I was for making it seem as if I were upset with her, and we ended the call laughing and back to being friends.
First off, how amazing is it that she actually called me on the phone and called me out on my supposed behavior? It could have been handled a little more kindly, but her intentions were honorable. I have to respect anyone with that kind of boldness! But what I really respect and appreciate all these years later is the fact that what she said gave me pause. I had been told on more than one occasion that I always looked mad. It never really made sense to me until the phone conversation I had with my friend. When she said all that she did, all the dots connected in my mind, and I became aware.
It made me more aware of what my facial expressions looked like and I started asking the Lord to help me with this, even changing my countenance if He needed to. Would you believe that He did this? More than a full decade later, I have been called “Smiley” and “Always Smiling”, and I promise I am not doing that on purpose. The Lord changed the countenance of my face, and my resting face is always uplifted at the corners at my mouth.
The other thing I became more aware of is what others must think of me when they see me out in public. If a friend I’d known my whole life thought I was mad at her one night, how mad did I seem to the world of strangers all around me?
This is where hospitality comes in, because I need to be aware of people around me. I love what Hebrews 13:2 says:
Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.
As a believer and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, we must always look approachable wherever we are. Here is an example of why this is important (as a side note, this is also why I always leave my house more put together in my clothing and with makeup!). I live in a big “small” town. Everywhere I go, literally every single place, I run into people I know.
I also always come across people who talk to me. I do not always have time to do this, but as believers and followers of Jesus, we should be willing to minister to people around us in our daily lives. Sure, there are times when I am in a hurry, and I duck my head and zip through a store, but mostly, I try to schedule in the extra time I need to be able to do this.
I’ve developed friendships with several ladies who work at my local grocery store, and my friend Carla is one such lady whom I have prayed with and for, for years. And she has prayed with and for me! If I had not first been kind and asked her how she was and started the process of getting to know her, how much of a blessing would we have both missed out on?
I love these verses on this topic from 1 Peter 4:8-9.
Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining.
These are not light responsibilities for women who represent Jesus in a lost and dark world. It is also not an easy thing to do, but when we pray and ask God for wisdom and guidance to lead us in this, He will answer that prayer. I am proof of that being true.
Since my friend’s phone call, I have gone above and beyond what I felt was my duty to be kind to those around me. I will be the first person to tell you that I regularly fail at this, but as best I can, I try to be kind and gentle. I smile at people as we pass on the aisles of my grocery store. I make eye contact with people around me. I do not stand in a closed off stance if I’m waiting in line. I also try to not be on my phone. If I’m looking down at the thing I most want to toss in the local river from time to time, I would miss out on so much!
Jesus lived in this way, and if He did, I know He wants us to live in that same way. While reading the New Testament last year with my church family, so many times I read that Jesus was moved with compassion for those around Him. Had He been walking along those dirt roads disengaged from those around Him, some of the miracles we read about would not have occurred. I’m thinking of the lady with the issue of blood, who touched just the hem of His garment. He immediately stopped when she did that, because He knew that power had gone out from Him. He turned to her and then He healed her! He took the time to see her, speak with her, pray for her, and heal her of her disease.
The Bible also teaches us how to treat those around us. Read what Paul is saying in Romans 12:9-18:
Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Give careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
I love the part that tells us to share in the needs of others, to rejoice with those who rejoice and to weep with those who weep. Imagine what the world would look like if we were champions of one another. Imagine no jealousy, no bitterness, no gossiping! We cannot control other people, but we can pray and ask the Lord to help us do our part.
Just yesterday, as I was vacuuming, I asked the Lord to help me not to be someone who is jealous. I was praying for my future daughters in love, and in realizing and praying about me never being the mom but always the mother in law, I asked Him to help me to never be jealous of my sons’ future wives and the relationships they have with their moms.
I equate all of these things with hospitality, because I think they’re synonymous with one another.
In closing, remember how important it is for all of us to be aware of how we seem to those around us, and try your best to look approachable. I promise, if you haven’t already, you will end up ministering to someone around you. Take advantage of every opportunity the Lord gives to you. Notice people, point them to scripture, and take a moment to pray with them right where you are.
If that seems totally foreign and uncomfortable to you, pray and ask the Lord to help you. Then, at the very least, commit to praying for them, and then actually pray for them. I like to pray immediately, because I can often forget to pray for someone I’ve told I will pray for. But praying with them right away makes an impression on the person, all for the glory of the Lord.
We are His image bearers, because God created us in His image. We are to reflect Him and His love to everyone around us, and at all times. I apply this to when I’m driving in heavy traffic, when I’m standing in the longest line ever three days before Christmas, when I’m at Walmart (which is where the Lord most tests me), and when I am on social media.
I try my best to kind, gentle, humble, and nonjudgmental. I don’t do this for the applause of others; I do this because this is what the Bible tells me to do in my everyday life. More than anything in the world, I pray that in doing these things, someone would sense something a little different in me. I always ask the Lord to help them be curious enough to be receptive to me sharing the gospel with them. That does not always happen, but I always pray in that way, and sometimes the Lord does allow me that kind of opportunity. I also do this because I love Jesus so much, and I want everyone else to love Him like I do. I feel sorry for those who don’t, because they have no idea what they’ve missing out on!
Maybe the Lord will prompt your heart. Maybe He will give you an opportunity to share His love with someone. All of us have that responsibility, and it does not only include inviting someone to church! We should be inviting them into a relationship with Jesus first and foremost.
I pray you are challenged as you prayerfully consider all these things today, and that you will join me in asking the Lord to use you in your everyday life.
Questions to ponder:
What do you think it means to be hospitable to someone? How can you do this today in a practical way?
What does the Bible say about how we are to treat others? (Hint: Look up Luke 6:31!)
If you were new and visiting a church for the first time, what kind of person would you be looking for, and what would you expect from them?
If you saw someone visiting your church, what could you do to welcome them warmly?
What kind of person are you drawn to? (Think outwardly, as in how they come across)
What is one way you can put into practice the things you’ve read today?
A closing prayer: Lord, thank You, once again, for Your word. Thank You for instructing us on how we are to treat others around us. Help us to represent you well and at all times, Lord, and help us to honor Your holy Name by what we say, how we act, and in how we spend our time. I commit this to You, Lord, and I ask this in Your strong name. Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
When Jennifer isn't focusing on her family of her husband and four (almost) grown sons, she is passionate about leading women to a deeper knowledge of and relationship with Jesus, through the reading of the Bible and through prayer. After years of serving in student ministry, the Lord pulled her out of that and planted her solidly in the women's ministry within her local church. She leads a small group on Wednesday nights, and together they study the word of God verse by verse, and book by book of the Bible. She loves to write, and you can find her sharing regularly on her blog, Overflowing With Thanksgiving. She also loves to sing and to help lead worship at her church, and will always be a choir girl at heart. You can find out more about her and her hobbies on her favorite social media outlet Instagram, as JenLloydGoodwin.