One way to please God and show his heart for all people is to invite. To ask a simple question: “Would you like to come for coffee?” can negate a lifetime of rejections.

To think, "they aren't like me" can make us hesitate to invite. The biblical definition of hospitality means to invite the stranger and some may be a little strange! At least different from how we live, that's for sure. Jesus told us what love is when he told the story of the good Samaritan. I love that story and I'm always a little convicted!

How about you? Is it a risk to invite someone you don't know? God will give you the courage if he is leading the way.

Some thoughts from today's podcast

• What kind of courage does it take to invite a stranger? It takes a Paul-courage, a Peter-courage, a Samson-courage, a Joshua-courage.
• You might think hospitality means having your friends over. It does. But it’s so much bigger and grander.
• Another way to explain what God means by hospitality is to give without a thought of receiving anything in return.
• Someone said, “Share the Gospel. Use words if necessary.” I would add, “Share your life. Make soup and maybe brownies.”
• To invite a stranger into your home and out of their life—for just a few hours—creates a sacred space and isn’t far from holy living.

We miss you, Doug!

From Never Alone: Stories of Invitation and Connection