Seeing Those From My Entrance
Am I a person who is in the habit of seeing those from my entrance? Perhaps this seems like a strange question to ask oneself, that is until you consider what is observed in the lives of two men recorded in Genesis 18 and 19. The first man is Abraham and the second is Lot. Though relatives, they are two different men, living in two different places but with a shared habit and action towards the vulnerable. I find myself challenged by their actions. Let me share why.
Abraham in Genesis 18:1-5 is seen sitting “at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth and said, ‘O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.’” I have lived in this region of the world to know the heat of the day is no joke! Rarely does a person intentionally choose to be outside long, let alone travel, because of the dangers exposed by the relentless scorching heat the sun emits.
What stands out to me is Abraham’s intentional act to position himself outside his tent entrance, looking for the lost or vulnerable. He doesn’t wait for them to come to him before engaging in conversation, but rather, runs to them from where he is sitting, greeting them in humility and with generosity. He has generosity that doesn’t wait for a sign from God to know what to do or how much to offer. He gave kindness, hospitality and provisions – his best– not leftovers. (see Genesis 18:6) If there was a need, he was determined to proactively provide for it. The same holds true with Lot.
In Genesis 19, we find Lot sitting at the gate of his city, actively looking for the vulnerable, which in his location appears to be travelers in need of overnight shelter. He readily greets them with the same humility and generosity (see Genesis 19:1-3) as seen in Abraham, not accepting no for an answer. What stands out most with Lot is the place in which this is all happening. There was a large majority of people who acted wickedly towards the vulnerable, but he did not let fear of their numbers or his transplant status keep him from doing what was right, even when it put himself in danger as well. (see Genesis 19:4-13)
“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” James 4:17
This is what challenges me, stirring within me a self-examination into my own character and habitual action on how I see and respond to the stranger and those vulnerable around me. While it’s easy and good to think of those outside my area, as a follower of God, I must be ready to see the needs of others in close proximity to me.
Will I proactively look for and go to them, or sit back comfortably for the opportunity to present itself to me? And when the needs do arise, how will I respond and give? Will my motives come from humility and will I then extend strangers honor as Abraham and Lot did? Because if I do, then too I will be ready to provide my first and best, instead of my leftovers, hand-me-downs or resources of little value. (Genesis 18:6-7, 19:3)
While I know I am more hospitable and generous than I used to be, I am convinced I can be so much more so. As a follower of Christ, I want to be seen as a woman who lives rightly before God. By committing myself to share in the character traits and actions seen in the lives of both Abraham and Lot, I know I can become a better conduit of God’s love, kindness and mercy to those I see from my entrance door.
