Are You Receptive to Welcoming Others?

He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts—but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.”

Mark 6:8–11 ESV

Think about a time when you visited someone and felt completely welcomed. You knew you were valued. You knew you found a place where you fit in and belonged.

Now think of a time when you felt anything but welcomed. Did you want to bolt for the door and get out as quickly as possible?

Hosts have the ability to make their guests feel welcomed or unwelcomed. They’re given a huge responsibility to set the stage for a visit. They also have the unique opportunity to communicate their care and concern while building others up.

When Jesus went from village to village to teach, He sent out His disciples two by two to preach and heal. As they went out, the disciples were instructed to not take anything with them and to stay with strangers. Their potential hosts might welcome them, or they might refuse the unexpected visitors.

If a potential host wasn’t receptive to the idea of guests or to the message the disciples were preaching, the disciples now had a testimony, or evidence, against them.

Just like people had the opportunity and choice to welcome or refuse Jesus’ disciples and their unexpected requests, you also have opportunities to welcome or refuse potential guests.

Before you’re faced with a hospitality decision, what is your overall receptiveness toward guests? Are you typically willing to open your home to others? Or do you prefer to stick to yourself and keep others away? Do you tend to open your doors and sit on your porch, or do you keep all your doors and blinds shut tight while you stay inside your home?

Recognizing your tendency right now and deciding if you’d like to change is a powerful starting point. For example, if you know you’d like to improve your hospitality, determine to make a change. Then start making your home more welcoming, whether it’s with furnishings or food or cleanliness.

If you’re in the habit of hosting others and you’re already comfortable with what you’re doing, that’s wonderful. Continue with what works best for you. Keep inviting and welcoming others.

If you’ve completely shut out the idea and practice of hospitality, think about why you’ve made this decision. What led you to this choice? Have you talked to God about it? Try praying for guidance and see what happens. Will He change your heart or mind?

No matter what stage of readiness or willingness you find yourself in, keep looking for opportunities to welcome others into your home. When you spy an opportunity, follow through. Do it! Receive your guests and show them the love of Christ with your warm welcome.

Father, I admit that it doesn’t always feel easy or even comfortable to welcome guests. I want to change, though. Sometimes I feel uncomfortable meeting new people. Small talk doesn’t always work out the way I imagine it should. Relationships take unexpected turns. Sometimes I’m more comfortable just sticking to myself. But I want hospitality to become a gift I willingly give to others. I know it’s important to You, and I want it to become important to me. Please help me get past my resistance and be willing to invest in the lives of my guests. Even if I’m busy with life, help me set aside time for relationships, especially as You direct people to my home. In Jesus’ name, I ask this. Amen.

Think It Over

• When have you felt most welcomed? How did your hosts’ kindness stand as a testimony in support of their character?
• When have you felt unwelcome in a place? How did your hosts’ rudeness stand as a testimony against them?
• If your willingness or unwillingness to welcome others stands as a testimony, either for you or against you, are you content with the testimony your hospitality offers? If not, what needs to change?
• Do you tend to be receptive to the idea of company and guests? Or do you typically turn away from opportunities?
• What can you do now to prepare for unexpected guests in the future?
• How can you make guests feel welcome in your home?

Put It into Practice

• Practice your receptivity to guests. Welcome others into your home. As you offer a place to sit or something to eat or drink, slow down. Ask your guests thoughtful questions. Listen to what they have to say, without worrying about all the things you can or should do.

Home Work

Where can your guests hang their coats or leave their shoes or purses when they enter your home? Take time to freshen this area up and transform it into a space that truly welcomes others. Whether it involves taking other coats off of your coat rack, cleaning up your mudroom, or straightening up your coat closet, make the effort. Do the work. If you don’t have a designated space for welcoming guests into your home, now’s a good time to consider where your guests feel welcomed to come in to stay awhile.