Hebrews 13:2 (NIV) – Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
My church, like so many others during the past year or so, was not meeting in person. All our services were online. “Going to church” was taking my iPad to the backyard patio, which is nestled under a canopy of trees, and sliding into a wicker chair in my “sanctuary.” The only ones usually in attendance were myself, my little dog, Charlie, and a few birds and squirrels. But one Sunday, we had unexpected company.
The “Interruption”
About ten minutes before church, a pair of seventy-pound, black lab mix dogs bounded in as our garage door opened. The “boys” were so sweet, and so lost. They had collars, but no clear identification. They were eager to go wherever I went, so I led them to the “sanctuary,” hoping to reunite them with their owner after the service. It wasn’t exactly on my agenda to have two large dogs go to church with me that day, but I got them some water and food and then we all settled down as the pipe organ began to play.
Finding The Divine Opportunity
The writer of Hebrews reminds us to never forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, sometimes you may entertain angels and not know it. I’m not saying these dogs were angels, though they did mysteriously appear and they were really lovable. But, as I set out to get the dogs back home, I ended up having a dozen opportunities to offer hospitality to strangers—people in the online pet-finder community, various vet techs, and others. They were all divine appointments that I didn’t know I would have that day.
Thanks to microchipping, we discovered the dogs’ owner was a neighbor up the street I had been praying for. “Entertaining” her dogs turned out to be an avenue for future connection.
God Works In The Every Day
It’s easy to miss the subtle ways God works. We can be too focused on our own agenda. Divine opportunity can seem like interruptions or inconveniences. Today, let’s ask God for eyes to see Him in action and hearts that practice hospitality and kindness. You never know who you may entertain.
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