Radical Hospitality in the Face of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to our world, causing widespread fear, anxiety, and disruption to our daily lives. As Christians, we are called to respond to this crisis with radical hospitality, demonstrating God’s love and care to those around us.
A New Normal
As the pandemic spread, our family’s home became a hub for neighbors, college students, and homeless individuals seeking help and support. My husband, Kent, would often answer the door with a warm smile and a simple question: “How can we help you today?” This small act of kindness opened doors to meaningful conversations, tangible support, and opportunities to share the gospel.
Four Important Truths
As we navigated this new reality, we discovered four essential truths about radical hospitality during times of crisis:
- Students need our support: With schools closed, students often found themselves without a safe place to spend their days. We provided temporary shelter, food, and emotional support, demonstrating God’s love and care.
- Older neighbors require our help: Immunocompromised individuals and seniors needed assistance with groceries, medication, and other essential tasks. We shopped for them, delivered meals, and offered companionship, showing that they were not forgotten.
- Practical care demonstrates love: Providing immediate, tangible support to our neighbors showed that we cared about their well-being and were willing to take risks to serve them.
- God’s sovereignty is our hope: In the face of uncertainty and fear, we found comfort in God’s sovereignty and goodness. We trusted that He was working all things together for our good, even in the midst of chaos.
Christian Wisdom in the Face of Fear
As Christians, we are called to exercise wisdom and discernment in times of crisis. We must balance caution with compassion, taking necessary precautions while still serving others. Martin Luther’s essay “Whether One May Flee from a Deadly Plague” offers valuable insights, reminding us that pastors and leaders have a duty to stay and serve their communities, even in the face of danger.
Hospitality as a Means of Gospel Witness
Radical hospitality provides a unique opportunity for gospel witness, allowing us to demonstrate God’s love and care to a watching world. As we serve others, we embody the message of Christ, showing that our faith is not just about personal salvation but also about loving and serving others.
Practicing Hospitality in the Face of Adversity
As the pandemic continues to shape our world, we are called to practice hospitality in the face of adversity. This requires courage, creativity, and a commitment to serving others, even when it’s difficult or uncomfortable. By doing so, we model Christ’s love and care, pointing others to the hope and peace that can be found in Him alone.
A Prayer for Revival
As we navigate these uncertain times, our prayer is that Christian revival will spread faster than COVID-19. We long to see a movement of God’s people, demonstrating radical hospitality and sharing the gospel with a world in need. May we be the instruments of God’s love and care, pointing others to the hope and peace that can be found in Christ alone.
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