When The Door Slams
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:17-21 NIV).
Looking at hospitality as the creation of a free and friendly space where we can reach out to strangers and invite them to become our friends, it is clear that this can take place on many levels and in many relationships. Although the word stranger suggests someone who belongs to another world government than ours, speaks another language and has different customs, it is important, first of all, to recognize the stranger in our own familiar circle.
When we are able to be good hosts for the strangers in our midst we may find also ways to expand our hospitality to broader horizons. Therefore, it might be worthwhile to look carefully at the four types of relationships that can be better understood from the perspective of hospitality: the relationship between parents and their children, the relationship between teachers and their students, and the relationship between professionals--such as doctors, social workers, psychologists, nurses, ministers and priests--and their patients, clients, counselees and parishioners. The relationship between government and their politics.
In all four types of relationships we become involved at some point in our own history. The complexity of life is exactly related to the fact that often we find ourselves involved in all four types of relationships at the same time and on both sides. While being a father to our children, a teacher to our students, a counselor to our counselees, and politician to their politics we also remain child, student and patient in other contexts.
Think about this: While trying to be a good mother, we often still have responsibilities as daughter; while teaching in the daytime, we might be sitting on the other side of the classroom in the evening; and while politician are giving advice to others, we realize at times how badly we need it ourselves. We all are children and parents, student and teachers, politicians and healers and in need of care. And so we move in and out of each others' worlds at different times and in different ways...They all stand together under the great commandment: "Love your neighbor as you love yourself " (Mark 12:31 NIV).
Affirmation: Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering (Hebrews 13:1-3 NIV).
Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.
Never Rest Ministries