The “all” verses in the Bible are so comforting to me in my own life and in the mess of hostility we witness in today’s world. God will supply ALL our needs (Phil. 4:19). I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13). ALL things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes (Rom. 8:28).

But some of the “all” passages are also the most challenging; especially when it comes to the end of that well-known “love chapter,” 1 Corinthians 13.

God IS love (1 Jn. 4:8). That may have been the first Bible verse we ever learned. But then we realize what God may expect of us in loving as He does (including loving those who don’t love us back), and the rubber meets the road. Out of faith, hope, and love, the greatest is love (1 Cor. 13:13), and with good reason. Love embodies everything God is in His perfect willingness to suffer out of love for us.

Love bears ALL things. Love believes ALL things. Love hopes ALL things. Love endures ALL things. (1 Cor. 13:7) Yikes!

None of us is perfected in love as a human being. But we are shooting for the highest standard of human behavior when we attempt to love truly. This love isn’t mushy or casual. It’s an all-out war again our personal self-centeredness.

Will we bear ALL things, forgiving the hurtful words of a family member, the sassy mouth of a teenager, the betrayal of a friend … a spouse? Will we take the load and transfer it to God as we look to overcome the pain?

Love believes ALL things. Will we keep believing when trust is damaged? When a child is born with a condition that requires constant care? When God is silent?

Hoping for ALL things is another challenge. Dare we hope and pray for a wandering spouse’s return, or a prodigal child? Do we still believe in miracles enough to ask for healing? Even when prayers are offered for months, or years?

Lastly, enduring all things may be the hardest requirement of all. When we are treated unjustly, will we act out of love and not complain? When we refuse to complain or argue, the Bible says we shine like stars in the universe (Phil. 2:14). Certainly very few people choose to graciously endure wrongdoing against them today.

Not that there aren’t times when we should stand up and speak out. Not that we shouldn’t realize a time to let go. Not that we shouldn’t fight for injustice or require respect. But not without loving as our core goal. Without love, we gain nothing (1 Cor. 13:3).
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Most importantly, love is caught rather than taught. Our children are watching the way we love. And as we long for them to have loving, virtuous hearts, we recognize the hard choices required to maintain the daily example necessary for them to embrace these values.

In the last few years I took part in a program at a church called Apples of Gold. Young wives were mentored by older wives. Each week a specific lesson was focused upon, and I was the featured speaker for purity.

One week the theme was “hospitality,” and I was a little confused. The other sessions dealt with what I thought were more important and practical issues like honoring your husband, cooking, parenting, etc. I just didn’t feel like decorating a table was that important. (Please don’t be too harsh with me. I’ve never been much of a cook or event planner.)

The lady who taught on this subject was so excited about it, and the other ladies raved about her. I wasn’t sure what to think--how hard could hospitality be? (Again, grace, please!)

Well, when the time came, suffice it to say I was blown away. As this lady read many examples of hospitality being shown in the Bible, I was reminded of my own life. I realized that many of the most meaningful moments had come when hospitality had been shown to me, or I had shown it to someone else.

Hospitality isn’t just about dressing a table. It’s about sharing all we have with others in need, and making a place for conversation, warmth, fellowship and refuge. It’s about opening our homes and receiving hospitality gratefully from others. And it can be life-changing.

A few weeks ago I was asked by a friend if we could house three missionary girls in our home for a length of time. We had the room and I was glad to do it, but wary. I didn’t know these girls from Adam. They were in the area to pray with people on the beach and minister wherever they found opportunity, and had been sleeping in their truck until now. Would they respect the house rules and get along?

What I have happily found is that they are wonderful house guests, full of gratitude for sharing space. They help with the cooking and cleaning, gardening and even some painting projects. They chauffeur. And best of all, they have prayed with me on some very hard days. Such servant hearts are hard to find.

“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it,” says Hebrews 13:2. I have thought a few times about asking these girls outright if they are angelic beings, and actually call them my three angels! But they seem to be just ordinary girls from 26-33, on a mission to share with others what they value most. And they bless me daily.
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It’s very easy to be so preoccupied with safety in our crazy world that we isolate ourselves entirely with technology; and of course we should always practice wisdom. But don’t forsake entirely reaching out to offer and receive hospitality. Something wonderful happens when we connect personally, face to face, and take some calculated risks, giving up our privacy for awhile. We may make a new friend, encourage a struggling soul, or heal a broken heart. We may be healed ourselves. Or we may even entertain angels unawares.