Hospitality
Hospitality: Making Space for Others as We Heal
Healing is not something we do alone. We need safe spaces where we can be honest about our struggles and where others can remind us that we are not beyond love. Hospitality is not just about opening our homes. It is about opening our hearts. It is about making space for people to be seen, known, and accepted just as they are.
Jesus modeled this kind of hospitality. He welcomed people that others rejected. He sat at tables with those the religious leaders avoided. He made room for the broken, the weary, and the outcasts. His love was an open invitation to come as you are and be transformed by grace.
Paul writes in Romans 15:7:
"Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory."
When we welcome others with love and without judgment, we reflect the heart of God.
Welcoming Others Without Judgment
Many of us know what it feels like to be judged. We have walked into rooms where we felt out of place, where people saw our past mistakes instead of our full story. That is not the way of Jesus.
In Luke 7, a woman with a sinful reputation came to Jesus while He was eating at a Pharisee’s house. She wept at His feet, pouring out her sorrow and gratitude. The Pharisee saw her as someone unworthy, but Jesus saw her heart. Instead of rejecting her, He said:
"Your faith has saved you; go in peace." (Luke 7:50)
Jesus did not turn her away. He made space for her to receive love and healing.
When we practice hospitality, we create spaces where people do not have to prove themselves. They do not have to hide their struggles. They can simply come and be met with grace.
Showing Up for Others as an Act of Love
Hospitality doesn’t just mean inviting people into our homes. It is about showing up for them in everyday ways. It is a phone call, a meal shared, or a conversation that says, “You are not alone.”
Jesus often met people in simple, ordinary moments. He shared meals, walked alongside others, and asked questions that showed He cared. His presence itself was an act of love.
In Galatians 6:2, Paul writes:
"Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ."
When we make time for people, we remind them that they matter. Sometimes, the greatest gift we can offer is simply being present.
Creating Safe Spaces for Healing
Healing happens in environments where people feel safe enough to be real. Whether it is a home, a coffee shop, or a support group, the space we create should reflect the love of Jesus.
A safe space is one where:
People are listened to, not judged.
Struggles can be shared without fear of rejection.
Grace is given freely, just as Jesus gives it to us.
If we want to offer this kind of space to others, we must first receive it ourselves. Jesus welcomes us as we are, with all our mess and brokenness. The more we embrace His love, the more we can extend it to others.
An Invitation to Hospitality
Hospitality is not about impressing people. It is about loving them. It is about making space for them to belong, to heal, and to encounter the grace of God.
Who in your life needs a space like that? Who might God be inviting you to welcome?
Whatever step you take next, remember this. Healing happens in relationship, and love makes room for everyone.
