Entertaining Angels

Entertaining Angels

Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Hebrews 13:1-2

Hospitality is something anyone can offer to someone else. I know people can fill out spiritual gifts inventories to assess their spiritual gifts, matching them with specific ministries that seem to fit them best. Although the concept is worthwhile in identifying people’s gifts, I wouldn’t want to be labeled as only having this or that particular gift, especially when my life is always changing. And an inventory list may give me the excuse not to do something because I am not “gifted” in that area—like evangelism, for instance. That kind of thinking overlooks that Christ calls us to live our lives as He did, and even though we may not be as gifted in one area as another, we all have a duty to try to live in all areas as Christ did.

Hospitality included.

Nathan had a longtime friend who embodied this sense of hospitality every day of his life. He met Hal Ingman Sr. and his wife, Ann, at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

Hal was an engineering professor there for years. Their home was a landing place for anyone who needed it, including their children’s friends; a gathering place for the college-aged Sunday school classes long after their own children were gone; and a haven for several adult friends with intellectual disabilities who would spend hours there each week. In addition, Hal and Ann filled their home with foster children, giving them a place to live, alongside their own four children, where someone cared about and loved them. Hal died from a heart attack while he was helping his granddaughter’s classmate jump-start the dead battery in her car, another manifestation of meeting the needs of others.

Hal never saw a need that he could turn away from, hoping someone else would take care of it. And he never lost his childlike sense of wonder in all of God’s creation and people around him. This no doubt gave him the perspective that meeting people’s needs were wonderful opportunities to serve God.

Hal’s response touched and changed lives. And his example is worthy to follow.

Uncommon Key > Practice hospitality by opening your home and your life to others. Be aware that you may be entertaining angels, unaware.