Examining Scripture:
“Not slothful in business;
fervent in spirit;
serving the Lord;”
Romans 12:11
Evaluating Soil:
I’m learning that people, much like plants, don’t like to be crowded.
Plants thrive with space around them so that they can soak up the sun, air, and water. (Unlike weeds that thrive any place they find a smudge of dirt.) People need space to sit, think, breath, and get nourishment too.
The problem with too much space is that isolation can get lonely, and loneliness is not conducive to our well-being. God planned for us to grow and thrive together in His garden. He created us to be hospitable and to enjoy hospitality.
Serving the Lord often means serving others, which is hard to do in isolation. We can’t shut out the world, live our own lives, and share the love of Jesus in our private, closed-off places.
So, how can we show the spirit of hospitality, and reach others for God, while protecting the space our hearts long for? Maybe, we reach them one face at a time.
Experiencing Seasons:
Lately, I’ve been noticing how many people are going through the daily tasks of life alone—eating meals alone, shopping alone, sitting in church alone, getting their nails done alone, buying groceries alone, working in coffee shops alone, and carrying burdens alone. I feel for them. Every. Single. One of them.
And, I’m trying to not just notice, but reach out. I’m attempting to purposely and appropriately cross the invisible lines of solitude by speaking and giving recognition to those around me. I want to let others know that they’re not alone in God’s beautiful, vast Creation. They’re not forgotten by our loving Creator. They’re not alone in their crisis, conflict, or corner of their private space.
Embracing Solace:
Most people, even those who love solitude, like to interact with others at some point. We’ve heard it said that being alone is not the same as being lonely. I agree. I often enjoy being alone. I loathe loneliness.
Solitude can be uncomfortable for some, while solace and space can be valuable commodities if you spend a lot of time around people at work, have little ones or large and loud families. Finding time by yourself can be sweet when your life involves a lot of people.
Enjoying Simplicity:
Showing hospitality doesn’t require large parties with crowds of people. Sometimes, it can be a quiet party of two.
Balancing solitude with serving the Lord can be so simple. Jesus often focused on one individual at a time and gave them His full attention. We, too, can find a person sitting by themselves, and give them a moment of our time.
Employing Solutions:
We don’t need to be afraid to talk to the person next to us. There are a lot of lonely people in the world waiting to be invited and allowed into our spaces. It only takes a little time and thoughtfulness.
Hospitable spirits can be expressed with simple gestures of kindness. We can make someone feel welcome in any space just by:
- Noticing them
- Making eye contact
- Saying, “Hey.”
- Sharing a nice gesture
- Giving a compliment
- Letting them go first
- Buying them a coffee or meal
- Listening to how they’re doing
- Inviting them to church
Think how much we would all grow and thrive with a sincere dose of Godly hospitality. It could change our hearts, homes, and the world.
Bring It Home
How can you reach out to a lonely person today?
Praying for you as we grow together,
Smiles, BRC
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