As Kelsey and I craft this Post, COVID-19 is ravaging our world and dramatically altering life as we knew it. Listening to the media, viewing the statistics, and attempting to project into the future can cause us to suffer “spiritual amnesia” in relation to the application of our heavenly Father’s instructions relating to compassionate hospitality (literally, the love of strangers-Heb.13:2). If we allow Him to lift our eyes above the current circumstances we are reminded that we are to eagerly respond to them regardless of the raging Pandemic.
James 2:14-16 teaches us that, “If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and be filled, and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?’ Even so faith, if it has not works, is dead, being by itself.” As we concentrate on applying James 2:14-16 to our lives during the Pandemic, we recall that one of the attributes of our heavenly Father’s character is compassion. As His children we should manifest:
a sense of empathy for the distress of others (Rom. 9:15).
the desire to minimize this distress (Matt. 9:36, 14:14, 15:32, 18:27, 20:34; Mark 1:41, 6:34, 8:2, 9:22; Luke 7:13, 10:33 15:20).
a heart that demonstrates kindness and mercy (Matt. 18:33; Mark 5:19; Jude 22).
Our Lord Jesus’ lifestyle demonstrates that biblical compassion always results in action. Consider several of His responses:
having experienced physical hunger, He empathized with the hunger of others (Matt. 4:2).
He offered rest to the spiritually bankrupt (Matt. 11:28-30).
He brought comfort and encouragement to the weak and oppressed (Isa. 40:11, 42:3; Matt. 12:18-21).
He ministered to physical and spiritual needs (Matt. 14:13-21; Mark 6:31-44, 8:2; Luke 9:11-17; John 6:1-13).
He attended to the afflicted (Luke 7:13; John 11:33, 35).
He alleviated the plight of the diseased (Mark 1:41).
He offered hope to perishing sinners (Matt. 9:36; Luke 19:41; John 3:16).
Though “sheltering in” and “social distancing” may prevent us from practicing compassionate hospitality in our homes,* perhaps a question we should pose is “How can I practice compassionate hospitality today?” As you consider the suggestions below, and add yours to them, remember that practicing compassionate hospitality is not measured by how we feel but by what we do in response to how we feel.
Today I can practice compassionate hospitality by . . .
providing material needs.
weeping, mourning, praying, and, when appropriate, fasting for others.
sharing my faith with the spiritually bankrupt.
encouraging the weak and oppressed.
assisting with the needs of the infirmed.
Kelsey’s Korner paints a poignant word picture of her recent encounter with compassionate hospitality. I know you will be blessed and motivated as you experience it with her!
KELSEY’S KORNER
If you could summarize your COVID-19 pandemic experience in just a few words, what would they be? Maybe boring? Restful? Possibly scary or stressful? Although at times each of those adjectives could describe my experience, overall, I would define my time as immensely sanctifying!
I am prone to fear and anxiety—I always have been. And the recent combination of a worldwide pandemic, isolation and loneliness, and an unknown future has caused much trouble in my heart. Sadly, during times of fear, all thoughts of anyone other than myself tend to exit the stage—an attribute in desperate need of Christ’s continued work.
A few weeks ago, when I was in the thick of fear and self-centeredness, I went to Walmart to get groceries. As I was walking up to the store an elderly man approached me and asked if he could have a minute of my time. He was wearing a mask and allowing appropriate distance between us, so I hesitantly agree. He let me know that the Lord had put it on his heart to help others less fortunate than himself during this time and asked if I would be willing to help him. His proposition was simple—buy a few extra groceries and cook a meal for a family in need. I agreed (although, to be honest, I felt a little put out!) and he smiled, thanked me, and pulled out his wallet and handed me a 50 dollar bill! I was absolutely shocked at his generosity and tried to give the money back, but he insisted, repeating that the Lord had recently blessed him beyond his personal need (I’m guessing this was his government issued stimulus check) and that he was convicted to use the money to help others. Tearfully, I accepted the kind man’s money and promised him that I would find a family to serve.
I spent the whole Walmart trip holding back tears—here I am, a so-called servant of God, young, healthy, blessed financially (my husband and I, by God’s grace, have both been allowed to keep our jobs) and yet all I can think about during this crazy time is myself. And this man, more prone to illness and likely living on a fixed income, decided to think of the less fortunate.
I didn’t buy groceries with the money right away but instead began earnestly praying that the Lord would bring me a family to help. I found a ministry at Southwestern Seminary, where I work, that functions by anonymously matching applications of families in need with families desiring to help. I applied and within a few days was paired with an international family where both the husband and wife had lost their jobs. All they asked for on their application was bread, juice, and a couple of other small grocery items, but the woman who paired us together let me know that they needed much more than that.
Prayerfully, I went to the store and bought this hurting family groceries—juice, bread, and many other items like dry goods, fresh and frozen fruits and veggies, and chicken. I baked them some banana bread and wrote them a letter. Inside, I explained the story of the elderly man at Walmart and His kind heart. I wrote how the Lord had them in mind when the man became convicted to give from his abundance. The Lord had them in mind when He had me, an employee of the seminary, accept the money and the man’s vision to help. Inside the card I tucked the man’s $50 gift.
Although I don’t know the family and they don’t know me, the woman who paired us together reported that when they received their groceries and banana bread and when they read the card about the man at Walmart and his willingness to give, they fell on their knees and cried and praised the Lord together for His sovereign care for them.
Sisters, the Lord is SO good. His plans and purposes never cease to amaze me! First, the Lord did a work in that man, allowing him to loosen his grip on his finances and convicting him to give to others in need. Next, the Lord used the man’s kindness and example to convict me of my own fears and selfishness. He then used the money and the groceries to bless a family in need, bringing them to their knees in praise to the Lord for His great care. No matter how many times I play this scene over in my head I am amazed all the more at God’s greatness. God is so very good. Will you allow the Lord to use your time during this pandemic to sanctify you as well?
THE EVERYDAY HOMEMAKER’S MONTHLY MEDITATION THOUGHT
God’s Word states, “. . . truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me” (Matt. 25:40)
Therefore, I may boldly say, “regardless of the circumstances my heavenly Father will provide the stamina and resources to practice compassionate hospitality.”
Blessings on your day as you focus on making your house a home!
*You might enjoy other of our hospitality-related Posts:
“Are You Willing to Expand Your Holiday Guest List,” “Are You Willing to Give the Gift of Hospitality this Holiday Season,” “Are You Willing to Tackle the Hospitality Hurdles?” and “Do You Have Consecrated China?”