Hospitality

Hospitality, the friendly reception and treatment of guest and strangers (Dictionary.com). This is one of the many spiritual gifts God may have granted you with. Do you have this gift? I think that whether or not we have this character or not, we as Christ-followers need to learn to have and practice this trait. Following God's footsteps. He welcomed all sinners, tax payers, prostitutes, strangers, he never excluded anyone. He demonstrated hospitality to the point he gave up his life on the cross, not only for his disciples, his family, his friends, but for those who were against him, those who didnt know him, those who followed him, but even more importantly, those in generations to come.

Are you able to show hospitality to others? When a newcomer walks in, do you make them feel welcomed and accepted? Or do you tend to stay in your comfort zone without your bubble of friends/life? Is this an act of selfishness? "Selfishness will kill what God is trying to do within you." Maybe this newcomer will do something greater in your life for you.

Think about it from their perspective as well. Im sure you've been in their shoes, in a new environment, not knowing anyone. Just wanting to feel accepted, loved, and welcomed. If you know exactly how they feel, why cant you be that person for them?

I challenge you to practice hospitality. Think of others before yourself.

break my heart for what breaks yours.

Today was Today's Teens Conference for the AGAPE/BASIC leaders, and during our first breakout session, we went to Running With Fire: Passion for the Broken. Although it wasnt a session I wanted to attend, and reading the blurb about it, it didnt really appeal to me, but crazy things happen. I truly believe that if you willingly open your heart/mind/eyes to receive God's word, and whatever he wants to say to you, you'll get something out of it.

So during this session, our speaker talked about the broken. He talked about the brokenness, personal brokenness, the things we deal with, from cutting, to drugs, to sexual immorality, loneliness, depression, and pain. We are all broken, and im sure there are broken people around us. Its really important to really try to see that and be of support. One of the videos they showed today talked about seeing how God sees the world. At first, everyone seemed normal, playing games, socializing, but then when we were "given God's eyes", it revealed the baggage that everyone was going through, from teen pregnancies, to being self absorbed. God truly knows what everyone is going through, but we should be sensitive and see that in others as well.

He also talked about brokenness outside, internationally, in the world, from the poverty, famine and hunger, and how we can help. From sponsoring a child, to working with World Vision or doing the 30 hr famine and raising awareness. There were some crazy statistics they gave,

- The US Defense Bill for ONE DAY could eliminate world hunger

- The average amount spent on ice cream by Canadians could eliminate world hunger

But the end, he challenged us with this. He dared us pray this prayer, and mean it. "Break my heart for what breaks yours." I dont think i fully took it in, but its really a prayer to see with God's eyes, to build that passion for the broken. And if we can see the world from God's perspective, we can truly follow in his footsteps, and be his representatives and help those in need. If you can read this, it means you've been blessed to live in such a wealthy environment/country. God placed you in this position to be the leaders to help the broken, those who do not have that luxury. Challenge yourself, to pray that prayer, and take the first step forward.