hospitality.

"Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
distributing to the needs to the saints, given to [pursuing] hospitality."
Romans 12:10-13

this verse has come to my attention several times in the past few years; generally i thought of it as a commendation to those who were of a hospitable nature, not necessarily a command to all believers. but that's precisely what it is- hospitality is a ministry: one which pleases the Lord and blesses believers and nonbelievers alike. i figured i probably didn't have this "gift" but since Paul is referring to everyone here, i realized it definitely included me. so in the past few months especially, i have been praying about this off and on, whenever it came to mind. i also began to observe how others practiced this ministry, and the simplicity in which it could be done.

one of the greatest examples to me was a certain friend who consistently practices this gift, gives regardless of personal abundance or lack, gives the best things freely, and takes no end of joy in so doing and so giving. i began to see beyond my little personal scope of "give what you have to and sigh in relief when you get the rest" and into the joy and blessedness of giving, and of serving, and of showing hospitality.

"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: ... he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Romans 12:6,8

how thankful i am for that grace, so freely given to us; for those gifts, imparted so perfectly and individually to each of us; and for the Spirit indwelling us, and producing such good fruits in us. i love how He works things into us that were before such impossibilities, such contradictions to our nature- and so naturally works them out in our lives, much to our amazement. how grateful i am for the fruit of the Spirit! when we see Him producing each new thing in our lives, we can once again be assured of His working within us, and for such assurance i am entirely grateful. To be found abiding, that is our goal- and when found abiding, such joy and thanksgiving and praise wells up within our hearts! what a loving and gracious Heavenly Father we have.

so, as i've been practicing the ministry of hospitality lately, i have been abundantly blessed each time i give, each time i serve, each time i step out in faith, each time i try something i've never done before! truly it is more blessed to give than to receive, and to obey the Word of the Lord is to take hold of Life Abundant! let us all seek to become more conformed to His image, more renewed in our minds, and more sensitive to His Spirit- and become ministers of His gracious hospitality.

"He has put a new song in my mouth- Praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord.
Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; and Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered."
Psalm 40:3-5