Hebrews 13:2

New International Version

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

For Meditation

How long can a person hide under the guise of having lunch?

For six hours, I sat in the restaurant pretending to be a happy customer, enjoying my food. Meanwhile, I was like that homeless man, feeling warm and rested. I needed more time to contemplate my next move. Finally, I stepped out through the same door the man had exited and into the same fate—homeless and needing a place to pass the night.

It was now evening, and dark clouds were forming over Lake Chicago. The wind had gathered speed, and the temperature had dropped quickly.

Boy, am I in trouble! Where do I go now?

I weaved through the heavy traffic with the experience of a former New York City resident and taxi driver and hurried towards the affordable hotel. I inquired at the front desk for availability. But nothing had opened up yet.

Moody was a few blocks away, so I dashed for it. What did I have to lose?

This time, I got access to the front desk of the designated Hall for Conference attendants. While the kind gentleman at the desk checked for a hotel for me, a student who overheard our conversation offered to accommodate me for the night. What a relief!

In one day, I had met two angels—a hungry, homeless man who craved a hot meal from me and a young student who extended hospitality to me. They were both obscured to me then, but now I know better. God gave me an opportunity to show kindness to the first angel, but I failed. Right after that, He sent another angel to teach me how to be kind to a stranger in need. Two angels, one message:

“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it” (Hebrews. 13:2).

Can you join me for a lesson on how to be a neighbor to somebody in need today? 

Shalom.