I am so thankful for every program we have for doing our work at Palm Beach Lakes. Our deacons, and many others, have designed plans to insure that our work goes forward. Many of these programs address issues which cannot be handled in any other way, and others are designed just to make sure that we cover all aspects of situations.
One concern I have is that we may tend to think that if we are not “assigned” to a particular program, then we really do not have an obligation to do things which every Christian should do as part of their Christian service.
We have had in the past, and likely will have in the future, programs to get people together in our homes to get to know each other better. Those who were involved in the Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner program last year repeatedly said that it was so enjoyable. It helped us to become more conscious of hospitality, and some have continued using their homes in this way.
Now here’s the point. Christians, by their very nature, are hospitable people. Isn’t this what is meant by those verses in Hebrews? “Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels” (Heb. 13:1-2). Hospitality which was once a given in America is no longer so prevalent among us. The solution to solving this dying art is not developing new programs, it is to develop new hearts among His people. Think about yourself and what is happening in your daily life. Hebrews shows that one manifestation of brotherly love is hospitality. What about you?
I also am thankful that we have a program to get food to those who have special needs. However, do not let those programs keep you from seeing the needs of others and spontaneously showing your concern for them. There are several in this congregation who hear the announcements of the sick and the grieving and without any program just respond to help others. Do not think that there is nothing you can do because you do not cook or because of limited time caused by working so much. Those delis, Boston Markets, KFCs, etc. make it possible for any of us to let others know we are thinking about them.
Let’s open our eyes for avenues of greater ways to show hospitality and compassion and manifest our hearts without waiting for a program to “force” us to do it. Gifts from the heart are so special and have such a loving message. What we need is not a program, but a heart!