More and more, I've come to appreciate hospitality, which I define as:
Thorough thought and consideration of and for your guests,
as they are welcomed into your home or current sphere.
The beautiful thing is all of the fellowship, all of the ministry, all of the genuine relationships that can be built when hospitality is practiced. What I appreciated about our hostess was that she'd thought of so many things in anticipation of us. We filled our plates and settled in around the table.
Some might say that what happened there for the next five hours was fellowship. Some might say it was ministry. Some might say it was akin to iron sharpening iron, which may also be deemed edification. Truly I believe that these three aren't meant to be separated. Fellowship, ministry, and edification flow one into the other.
We must be humble enough to be used to God, in any conversation, through any word, through any deed.
We must be humble enough to receive, when He shines His light on our hearts and sends a timely word.
We must be humble enough to be genuine... ALWAYS.
Hospitality and all the fellowship, ministry and edification that is fostered there is rooted assuredly in humility.
I drove home that night, desiring to be more humble. I don't want to miss out on any way God can use me in fellowship, ministry or edification.