“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Romans 12:9-13 NIV

Hospitality refers to the relationship between a guest and a host. A guest is someone who is invited, while a host is someone who receives and entertains those they have invited, making them feel at home. Often, the host doesn’t expect the guest to bring anything but themselves.

It’s no coincidence that God invites us to practice hospitality because he embodied it first. God invites us into his presence without expecting anything in return. We should take on the same attitude as we give to others! That is real, sincere, unconditional love.

So how do we pass this along? We don’t give for a blessing, we give from a blessing. As we bless the people around us, we too are blessed. Our monthly I Love My City projects provide us with an opportunity to do just that—to love unconditionally, to be a blessing.

We are not called to change our city, we’re called to serve it. As we do what we can do, God will do what only he can do. As we take time to visit nursing homes, write cards to children in the hospital, organize warehouses, and serve in the countless other ways we do, God is changing people's lives.

People will forget what you said, forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel. Do you make people feel at home?

Laura Robertson