Hospitality.
Think the (famous) Proverbs 31 woman, busy spinning purple and getting up early and being a role model. I couldn't really relate to the land-buying and purple-spinning, but I knew that the modern-day Proverbs 31 woman in my life was my mom. And I knew that I wanted to be like her; with a heart for people and the ability to make sacrifices cheerfully and wisely. But I used to think I couldn't really live out the Proverbs 31 woman's life yet--because I was still a student; I was still living with my family, didn't own my own house; wasn't earning very much; was too young. (Rebelution red lights start flashing!) Ah, yeah, okay. One day in the distant future as a wife and mom and/or with my own home. No one as yet to spin purple for. 2 Corinthians 6:10--"...as poor, yet making others rich." How's that possible? A long while ago we went through a study With One Voice by Alex and Marni Chediak. Part of the study was defining godly masculinity and femininity; and out popped hospitality! Of course, so did Proverbs 31. Here's One Voice's take on hospitality, as of my notes: Hospitality enhances and beautifies the life of others...gives comfort to the weary and the downtrodden. The godly, hospitable woman's priority is outward, for the good of people around her. That ties in perfectly with 2 Corinthians' exhortation. As poor, yet making others rich. Hospitality is not merely the sharing of resources (emphasis on the gesture.) It's a way of life, a perspective. Having the heart to share what you already have. Selflessness. And as that, it is no longer defined by the having of something to give. If we have this perspective, if we live our lives in this way, we'll never be obsessing over, or hiding behind 'don't have enough to give'; we'll be seeing what we can give. Rather, we'll see ourselves, with all that God has blessed us with-- little as it may be in our own eyes and the eyes of others-- as stewards of His love.
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