The local people showed us extraordinary kindness . They lit a fire and took us all in , since it was raining and cold . Acts 28:2 , emphasis mine
They saw strangers with a need for warmth and then willingly — and without hesitation — gave it .
When we read of these instances of kindness and hospitality on the pages of Scripture , these people with their ordinary lives — mingled with the grace of God — give us a picture of love and welcome . Who in our lives is watching us , getting a glimpse of God ’ s heavenly grace extended through our earthly hospitality ?
Do they see us welcoming unexpected guests ? Are we willing to make a meal , maybe even transporting it to someone who needs it ? Will we eagerly throw open our doors and allow our homes to be used by those doing the important work of the church , perhaps allowing a life group or Bible study to meet there ? Are we using our skills and talents to provide substantial good to others , so much so that one day , when we pass away , others will mourn the loss deeply ? And , do we go beyond just being nice ? Would others characterize our kindness as extraordinary and unusual ? And — most important — do we offer it to others simply because they have a need , with no other ulterior motive ?
Let ’ s not stop at reading the example of these people of faith . Let ’ s be a modern-day example of kindness and hospitality ourselves .
Excerpted from Reach Out , Gather In by Karen Ehman . Used by permission of Bethany House , a division of Baker Publishing Group ( http :// www . bakerpublishinggroup . com ). Copyright 2020 .
Karen Ehman is a Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker and New York
Times bestselling author . Described as profoundly practical , engagingly funny , and downright real , her passion is to help women to live their priorities and love their lives as they serve God and others . Karen writes for Encouragement For Today , an online devotional that reaches over four million women daily . She also contributes to the First 5 teaching team . First 5 is an app designed to help you spend the first five minutes of every day reading the Bible and connecting with God , and also interacting with other believers in the app ’ s community , if you so desire .
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