Central Truth

Hospitality is an essential element of Christian love and springs forth from an intimate relationship with Christ.

Reflections

I just love the heart of Lydia. Upon immediate acceptance of Christ she moves to persuasive hospitality. Paul and Silas were strangers in a strange land weary from travel, but earnest in their desire to share Christ. Seeing their need Lydia jumps in and insists they stay with her. Some time later she will again minister to them as they are battered and bruised from their stay in prison (see verse 40). Lydia provided a safe place to fall. As a parent my desire is to always be a safe place to fall for my daughter. The same is true for those I come in contact with in my daily walk with Christ.

So many of us are living far from our childhood homes, dealing with difficult pasts, or struggling with present day circumstances. We need those safe places to fall. We need godly people in our lives that we can turn to for comfort, encouragement, and strength. I have had the blessing of experiencing this over the last eleven years as I have traveled around the south moving from place to place for school and work. Each time God connected me with believers who extended genuine hospitality. They gave me a safe place to fall when my husband was deployed to Iraq, when my child was born, and when my heart was heavy. But that is not where the story ends. In my intimate walk with Christ He too has called me to be a safe place to fall.

Over the course of two years, I was able to walk beside a friend as she faced some personal challenges. Nothing I did was major. All I did was extend love through an open heart, listening ear, and a desire to see this godly woman grow personally and in her relationship with Christ. Just recently she called to thank me for providing that for her. You know what though? Walking beside her was a privilege given by the Lord and the opportunity to serve Him in this way was blessing enough.

Discussion Questions

1.  Who has God put in your life that has been a source of great encouragement?

2.  How has their service to you enabled you to help others?

3.  In what ways do you desire to see hospitality played out in your life and or small group?