We Do the Caring and God Does the Healing
Here at Cedar Hills we believe hospitality is a core characteristic of how we live out the gospel. In “The Simplest Way to Change the World,” Dustin Willis and Brandon Clements describe the power of gospel hospitality this way:
“Grasping that hospitality is a meaningful way that we care for spiritually sick people is why we do this, and it will be the lasting power we need to make this a way of life. Because ultimately the end goal of hospitality is care and healing – we do the caring and Jesus does the healing.”
If I’m honest, practicing authenticity, I struggle sometimes with hospitality. For example, the other night when I got home from running some errands my neighbors were out chatting across the street. I looked out the window, thought about going over, but then accepted the excuse that I didn’t have the emotional energy to go over and care for my neighbors. I was tired and not in the mood. I realized, as I reflected on this quote from Dustin and Brandon, that I sometimes feel like I not only have to do the caring, but I feel responsible for the healing. I choose not to care because I feel inadequate. I know they have brokenness and hurt (like all of us), and I don’t feel strong enough to help them. Today I am challenged that all I need to do is just listen, and trust God to do the healing. As I reflect on this truth I am encouraged. I feel like I can answer the Facebook message with kind hospitality, because I don’t have to have the answers. I don’t have to carry their burdens. God just needs me to listen and care. I can simply be there for those who need relationships, and rely on God to provide the wisdom and strength to bring healing when and how He wills. God commands us to show hospitality in Hebrew 13:1-2.
“Let brotherly love continue. Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.”
Brothers and sisters, let’s be encouraged today. Let us not neglect to show hospitality to our coworkers and neighbors.
God help us to choose to show hospitality. Give us the strength to enter into the messiness of each other’s lives, knowing that YOU bring the healing as we simply care. Amen!
Steve Poole
Director of Youth & Young Adults
