RADICAL HOSPITALITY

Sometimes events happen that trigger my past, and the memories come pouring out from nowhere into my conscious mind.  Yesterday one of those events occurred and took me back in time, to probably the worst season of my life.  It was a time when I lost control, flung every good thing in my life to the wind, and lived without boundaries or reason.  I was hurting, disillusioned, and in despair so I looked to anything that would stop the pain; alcohol, sex, drugs, and pure rebellion.  I was miserable and did some really stupid and eventually regretful things.  Fortunately it was during the 60’s so I could fit in with the rest of the cultural happenings and hide for a while.  But that didn’t last long.  At some point I came to my senses.  I was deeply repentant and was very much aware that for the rest of my life I would never ever be the one to throw the first stone of judgment at anyone.

Through the years I was able to find people who had gotten caught in my wake of dysfunction, acknowledge my wrong doing, and fortunately receive their sincere forgiveness.  They were people I loved and who loved me and they knew as I did that there was never any malice or intentional harm meant in my actions; just one messed up soul trying to find something in my life to salvage.

God forgives, others forgive, but while I walk in their forgiveness it’s difficult at times to not forget and feel the regrets of my past.  Maybe there is some benefit to that I my present dealings with other people.  It keeps my self righteousness in check; keeps me humble; causes me to drop all stones of judgment and offer an empty hand of understanding and welcome to all I come into contact with that need that kind of radical hospitality.

God calls those who believe and receive Him to that kind of radical hospitality.  This world can be a harsh and mean spirited place to live; God hears the groans of His creation.  He invites and welcomes all who will turn to Him; and so should I because I have been on the receiving end of that hospitality for a long time.

Radical hospitality is not so much in what I do as it is in who I am.  When people come into my presence I want them to feel welcomed, attended to, and loved by God.  It doesn’t need to be in the grandeur of a Downton Abby.  It can be in my simple little home, a restaurant, or in the aisle of a grocery store; being radically hospitable means serving others in love; putting others first; being kind, and present to the moment and to the person in front of me.

I believe that is how Jesus was.  He somehow made every person he communicated with feel special, feel loved, and feel attended to, no matter what their past was.  He knew their past and looked beyond it to their present need.  The fact that I know my past makes me more than ever want to be like Jesus; looking beyond the faults, the past, and simply be radically hospitable in the present, offering the healing salve being welcomed, being attended to, and being loved.