When Hospitality Looks Like Hope
I stumbled upon a unique connection between hospitality and Hope while sitting through a particular training at work a few weeks ago. Unable at the time to fully grasp the discovery, I continued to ponder around the borders until it all made sense. One morning it clicked into place, hospitality looks like Hope when we willingly meet people right where they are.
Hospitality has nothing to do with having a home, but it has everything to do with having a heart for hurting people.
Working in hospice, when I received the required training invitation to a customer service educational event, I bristled. Viewing suffering individuals and families as “customers” or developing skills designed to engage their concerns as a customer service representative repulsed me.
Until about ten minutes into the presentation, when I sat mopping the tears flowing from my eyes.
Though the educator certainly ended up covering what most understand as customer service, she did so from the fresh perspective of honoring the individual’s pain; remembering we all have a story, and many times it contains hard realities.
What if our responses came from a place of compassion and understanding instead of from annoyance or an oversensitive attitude?
What if we cultivated a welcoming demeanor of hospitality in all our interactions, but especially with those who are marginalized?
“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.”
Addressing the needs of hurting people is complicated because you not only have the concern, but you have the heavy emotions driving the concern. When we choose a welcoming attitude, we suddenly see how hospitality looks like Hope.
I prefer thinking about hospitality as an attitude of welcome, whether to my home, my life or even into the moments of my day.
The reality of hospitality as a vehicle of Hope became clear as I meditated on how Jesus met people. No one had more demands on His time than Jesus, yet He displayed a welcoming attitude to everyone He met.
Interruptions were the staple of his days as He travelled with His disciples completing the work of his Father while on earth.
Still, He never rushed, but each and every encounter overflowed with hospitality as He ministered Hope to every person.
At work, we often receive reminders to remain “approachable” to patients, families, and our colleagues. Jesus was so much more than approachable, He was “welcoming”.
Often encountering the culture’s outcasts and undesirables, though He had no home, He welcomed them to His table of plenty. Assuring each person they were seen, heard and valuable.
Relegating hospitality to the realm of entertaining within the walls of our home or churches, cheapens the glorious gift and leaves it languishing for the “proper time”.
Hospitality looks like Hope when we choose daily to welcome others into our moments with the generosity of a kind word, listening ear or genuine compassion. Behind vacant stares, harsh demeanors or sarcastic comments dwell real people, with real stories we know nothing about.
Treating people with dignity rather than prejudice or judgmental attitudes opens the door for Hope’s redeeming power, and maybe even an opportunity to be Jesus’ hands and feet to a hurting world.
Who would be shocked today if you showed this kind of hospitality?
I would love to hear what happens next.
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