FireBall or Chocolate?

“Be hospitable to one another without complaint.” (1 Peter 4:9, New American Standard Bible)

I sometimes kept a large container of fireballs in my window sill at the office. My primary reason? So visitors could find comfort in a bit of snacking pleasure whenever they wanted or needed it.

If I had fireballs available, you were welcome to them. We were all on level ground when it came to the communal snack in my office. You might work for me or I might work for you. You could be meeting on friendly or hostile terms. We could have had an appointment or you just dropped by. You could love me or hate me. I could be in my office or out. None of those things mattered.

Were they always appreciated? Not everyone liked fireballs and I had more than one person pop one in their mouth, and after a few minutes take it out and hold it. If I was paying attention, I’d say, “You are welcome to trash that if it’s not your thing.” Sometimes they did.

It wasn’t always fireballs. I often changed it up. Fireballs were probably my longest running communal snack, but I believe the most popular, by far, was—can you guess?

Chocolate.

I had regulars who would come in and say, “I have got to have some chocolate.” On those occasions I believe my hospitality actually curbed altercations. I also had meetings where there was a pretty good pile of wrappers on the table afterward, especially right before lunch.

Another popular snack was nuts. I would put out a dish that had pistachios on one side and unshelled peanuts on the other. Controlling the shells was a chore, often requiring me to clean before the custodial staff arrived.

Peter writes to fellow Christians in 1 Peter. A portion of his letter encourages them in attitudes and behavior during difficult times. Chapter four gives us instruction on being stewards of God’s grace.

“Be hospitable to one another without complaint.”

What’s so hard about being hospitable? It’s easy when we’re putting together a dinner party for friends. It’s harder when we’re in the presence of someone with unknown or questionable motives. It’s downright difficult when we know they mean us harm. I don’t mean we should open our homes to someone trying to rob us, but we should be welcoming and friendly even in disagreement.

Sounds difficult doesn’t it? And on top of that, we should do it without complaining. My wife has to remind me if grumble (even about my volunteer activities), “Are you doing this with a happy heart?” Our hearts should be as hospitable as our actions.

Realize not everyone will embrace your hospitality. Like the fireball, they’ll put up with you for a while then hold you at arm’s length. Some may need your hospitality like a soothing salve. Similar to chocolate, they crave your actions of love and welcoming for reasons you may never know. And, some encounters will be awkward and messy like the nuts. You may even have to clean up a bit afterwards.

How can we live a complaint-free hospitable life? We won’t be perfect at it, but there’s hope for help in the success and the failure.

That hope is found in God’s grace.

Further reading in chapter four tells we are to use gifts given to us by God to serve one another. He’ll supply what you need to live the gifts He’s given you. I encourage you to rely on Him and not yourself.

What does hospitality look like for you? Let me know.