What Will Your Life Say In the Upcoming Holiday Season?

“God began to teach me that there is a huge difference between ‘entertaining’ and offering hospitality.” –Karen Ehman

What happens between the time we think of an opportunity to be hospitable and we talk ourselves out of it? Doubts of whether our guests will be comfortable or not start to crowd out that initial desire. Focus on self distracts us from focusing on others.

“New Testament Christians simply welcomed these people, inviting them to join in for a few days as they went about their daily routine. Maybe we should take a cue from them.” – Karen Ehman 

‘A Life That Says Welcome, Simple Ways to Open Your Heart and Home to Others’ by Karen Ehman analyzes the why and how of offering hospitality. She addresses the real issues of our hearts as well as the practical issues of our homes. There are creative ideas for ways to open our homes and even to offer hospitality on the road! She writes from years of personal experience as well as the experiences of those who have been her mentors. During the coming season there will be extra opportunities to offer hospitality. Reading this book may help us to be encouraged and prepare our hearts to have a life that says Welcome!  

                                                                                                         K.T.

The Good News of Relationship

The next miracle to explore is the final one in this examination and yet it is the one that makes everything come together. It is also the one that gives me the most pause and the most peace!

It is the Relational Good News. Those words are Bill Tell’s from the same book I have been musing about over the last few months. The book is called “Lay It All Down” and it has challenged me to reexamine my faith in God. It has confirmed my salvation and challenged my heart which had become a bit staid and less teachable than it ought to be. This term, Relational Good News, is a tad formal for me. In the church we recognize this as the doctrine of adoption. In my soul, it is the ability to address the Majestic Lord of the universe as “Abba, Father,” as seen in Romans. 

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. (Romans 8:14-17 ESV)

Wow! Amazing! Humbling!

The very stunning reminder that the Creator -of Heaven, of earth and of all things- desires to commune and communicate with me causes me to stop and try to process the magnitude of that Good News! Each one of us has the privilege of being called a son or daughter of the Living God, when we choose to accept Jesus’ gift of redemptive life.

Consider the act of adoption in the Roman Empire. This legal proceeding by the ruling class placed children in patria potestas or the power of the father ( Barclay ). This meant they were under the absolute protection and control of the father and they were thereby expected to bring honor and longevity to the family name. It also conveyed benefits on the child. It gave the ability to have interaction with the father, to draw on the resources of the family including inheritance and to receive the parent's affections.

This adoption practice was often used by the ruling Roman class to gain heirs. A slave’s life would be transformed. The slave would be completely separated and removed from his or her previous life and family. All ties and allegiances would be severed. Then a new life would begin with all the new privileges and responsibilities. The adopted child had a new social status which could give vast benefits…depending on the father.

The parallel is clear. We, in Christ have this new status! We have a relationship with the Father God who lets us be adopted as His children so we have this whole list of benefits. It calls upon us to bring honor and longevity to Him as our adopted Father.

This study of adoption has me marveling yet again at the grace of God. His plan and provision are vast. I know my exploration of adoption is not complete. I challenge you to look into the doctrine of adoption and share your findings with someone else. God will use His Word to give insight that will bless and teach you and others. Enjoy this amazing relationship!