Gospeltality

Sometimes my kids amaze me. This seems to particularly occur with my youngest, seven year-old Ty. Most of his time is spent messing around and trying (often successfully) to make us laugh. However, every once in a while he also shows an uncanny intelligence and even spiritual insight. This afternoon we had one of those moments.

As his mother related how Ty was friendly with a new child in his class at church this morning, and that this was a great example of hospitality, he simply replied that it was 'gospeltality.'

Now, I have to admit that I don't think he really knows what he is talking about, but even if he does just a little bit, I am amazed at his insight. Whether he realizes it or not, he's right: when we show hospitality to others, we are simply reflecting how God has been hospitable to us.

Hospitality is being friendly and generous to strangers. Through the cross, God has generously offered us his friendship (John 15:14; James 2:23). Even when we hated and reviled Him, he showed his love  by sending his Son to die for us (Romans 5:8).

Therefore, as those who have received the ultimate act of hospitality, we are called to show hospitality to others (Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9). When we do, we practice 'gospeltality' - giving a little picture of God's hospitality towards us.