“Okay, so hear me out. What if we’re like the workers at the hotel and everyone else is staying at the hotel and it’s our job to love them so they can learn about Jesus?”
“Tell me more.”
We were discussing how to be ambassadors of the gospel at JAM (Jesus & Me, our 5th & 6th grade youth group) when one of the students shared this idea. We (the church) are the staff at Hotel Heaven. As guests come and go it is our job to extend radical hospitality. In doing so, we create sanctuary: a place to rest, to be taken care of, to experience warm welcome and unconditional love.
The group decided that Hotel Heaven was a place for everyone. We have room. Stay as long as you like. Need something? We’ll help you. Sharing the love of Jesus every step of the way.
“And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’” – Matthew 25:40
Soon the conversation shifted to who wanted what job at the hotel. Not only is there something for every guest, but also a role for each staff member. Something that fits their gifts and energizes them.
“There is one body, but it has many parts. But all its many parts make up one body. It is the same with Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 12:12
All throughout the summer I have been thinking about Hotel Heaven. As we welcomed children and their families at Barefoot School, how can we make this a fun space to learn about God’s love? In planning and preparation for the return of our children’s programs, how can we show radical hospitality to all families who walk through the door? In what ways can we serve our community, modeling Jesus’ unconditional love for all people?
God’s love extends far beyond what we can imagine, and we have the privilege to share that good news with others. So how will you welcome others at the Westminster branch of Hotel Heaven?