Over the past 25 plus years of serving side by side with my husband in ministry, verse 1 Thessalonians 2:8 has been spoken hundreds of times to people that we are investing in. This verse is the heartbeat of our mission. But it was not until later I realized how the verses surrounding vs 8 are entangled with my heart for hospitality as well. I look forward to diving into these verses for a few minutes with you and sharing how hospitality is a soul-sharing movement.
Hospitality is a Soul Sharing Movement
Over the years, we seem to get into a pattern or should I say rut, and begin to think that hospitality is fulfilled when you have someone over for dinner. And even maybe if you follow up with a coffee date to check-in. I have been so convicted in this area.
My house has always been known as the place where everyone gathers. Superbowl parties, New Year’s Eve parties, pool parties, birthday celebrations, dinner with small groups… the list could go on. I look over those gatherings and it brings joy to know that my home is being used to gather people and connect with them. But, it really doesn’t stop there if we are truly seeking hospitality the way Christ has designed it to be.
Hospitality in Scriptures
1 Thessalonians 2: 6-8
“Even though we had some standing as Christ’s apostles, we never threw our weight around or tried to come across as important, with you or anyone else. We weren’t standoffish with you. We took you just as you were. We were never patronizing, never condescending, but we cared for you the way a mother cares for her children. We loved you dearly. Not content to just pass on the Message, we wanted to give you our hearts. And we did.” 1 Thessalonians 2: 6-8 The Message
Did you catch it? Did you hear hospitality all through the scriptures above? Wow! Let’s spend some time breaking it down.
Let’s break it down
- Approachable: “We weren’t standoffish with you.” Paul, is saying, no matter what our status in this world, this church or this community we are approachable. We come fully exposed to you.
- Acceptable: “We took you just as you were. We were never patronizing, never condescending…” This is so hard for all of us. To accept people where they are right in that moment. Relationships and hospitality are messy.
But if we are really going to connect with others, we need to have a safe place that is judgment-free and accepting of others. This is not the place or the time for chastising and rebuking one’s sins. At this point, you have not earned the right to be heard, you are called to love others.
The relationship will grow and trust will build. Once your friend knows you love them and only want the best for them, that is when you can share the truth in love with them.
- Nurturing: “but we cared for you the way a mother cares for her children. We loved you dearly” Some relationships will feel like you are starting from the very beginning. Just like a mom feeding a newborn baby. What an amazing blessing and gift it is to care for a friend in this way.
I can remember sitting across the table from a young mom. She was 16 and had a 3 month old. She loved her baby. But she had no clue how to care for her. She was struggling. One thing she did know was the baby needed to be fed and diapered often. She was so good at that. As I spent the year meeting with her once a week, we talked and shared life experiences that she could relate to and then repeat with her daughter.
It was like I was feeding the young mother, like a newborn, instruction and love that grew her closer to becoming who God created her to be. She grew so much over that year of mentoring. As I poured love into her, she became stronger and stronger as a young mom.
The Heart of Hospitality
- Soul Sharing: “Not content to just pass on the Message, we wanted to give you our hearts.” Honestly, this verse has been a journey for me. I could camp out here for a while but I don’t think I am ready to unpack all of it on you right now.
But let me just say, this verse is where I shout loudly, impacting lives and changing hearts doesn’t come from sitting in a Sunday morning service or having a dinner party, but it comes from true hospitality and inviting others into your life. Loving them so much that you want to care for them just like a mother cares for a newborn. Paul tells us very clearly, we share the good news while we give a part of us away. Our hearts.
Or as the ESV says. “So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.”
Let me ask again, did you catch that? “You have BECOME very dear to us.” That doesn’t mean it is a one time interaction. It is a one on one interaction that you love the person even before they hear the Good Message, and even if the reject the Good Message.
Sharing our Lives as Well
“We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.” 1 Thes 2:8 NLT
I am far from a theologian but does it count that I am married to a man that teaches me well and points to scripture and resources that help me understand the mission God has called us to? In all seriousness, we don’t have to have a degree from a seminary to understand the scriptures. God wrote the scriptures for us to understand.
James 1:5 tells us “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” What a promise, so ask if you don’t understand.
So in 1 Thes 2:8 scripture tells us to share our lives with others. Build relationships, live life with others, and share the good news as you are doing it.
Hospitality is a Soul Sharing Movement
Is that what you see the scriptures tell you?
When we share something with someone, we are creating a bond. We are sharing life which is one of the most important things we have. Our lives. Our souls.
When we share our souls with others, it binds us together. Creates a relationship that is approachable, accepting, nurturing, and binding. It creates a hospitality atmosphere that is infectious and desiring.
My Challenge To You
Hospitality is a Soul Sharing Movement
If you are ready, open up your home, your life, your daily activity to hospitality that God is calling us to in these verses.
Here are some steps that will help get you started.
- Pray for the heart of 1 Thes 2:8 to engulf your home and life.
- Look for an opportunity to invite someone over or go have a coffee with. Maybe someone that you would not normally gravitate to.
- Have no expectations of your first encounter other than listening and hearing about their lives and sharing your life with them. Laugh together.
- Make a second date. Invite them into your life a little deeper. Maybe over a meal, meeting your family or hanging out at an event. Like a ball game, movie or the gym.
- Let the conversations develop. Be honest about your faith, but don’t expect them to have the same views as you from the beginning or even remotely agree with you. You are accepting them where they are and loving them just like Christ loves you.
- Don’t treat them like a project. Love them just like a mother loves their newborn baby.
I would love to hear how you are living out your life with others. Leave a comment to encourage us all.
