Practicing Honor, Day by Day 52

"Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality." Romans 12:13 (NIV)

Today, we continue to look at why we are called to be hospitable.

"Why be hospitable? For me the answer is quite simple, God asks His children to be an extension of His love to the world around us. If we are not reaching, loving, inviting, valuing others, who will?

Every day we bump into people along the road of life. They may be neighbors, co-workers, cashiers, workers in our home and community, folks at church or family members. Do we shrug a cold shoulder and throw indifference their way? Or, do we open our eyes to see the loneliness, sorrow, worry and fear they may be walking in?

Everyone has a story. Everyone has pain. Everyone wants to feel like they matter. Everyone needs to know that if they died today, someone would notice, someone would grieve their loss. Sadly, very few people have another soul to share their story or their pain with. Most folks feel invisible and worthless. Many know that if they died, very few would miss them and most would go on living like nothing happened.

Is that how Jesus wants them to feel? Of course not! Jesus came to earth and lived a life of service, hospitality and extended grace and mercy to everyone He met. We are called to love as He loves, we are His hands and feet upon the earth today. What are we doing about it?

We extend hospitality to others because our Master asks us to. If we call ourselves Christians, we are saying we are "followers of the anointed One." Jesus came to seek and save, He came to heal and hold. He placed us in the communities, homes, families, and churches where He knew His presence was needed. Are we serious about being His hands and feet?"--First Things First blog entry by Heather Cooper Baker (May 18, 2011)

http://firstthingsfirst5.blogspot.com/2011/05/hospitality-part-1-why-we-do-it.html

Heavenly Father, we have been caught up in our own little world. We've shut others out and ignored their plight. Forgive us. Today, we choose to do something tangible to show someone that we care. Lead us to the ones who need Your love and allow us to be Your hands and feet to them.