Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life was at risk every day he stayed in Hitler’s
Germany, but he stayed nonetheless. I imagine he shared the apostle Paul’s view
that being in heaven was his heart’s desire, but staying where he was needed
was God’s present purpose (Phil. 1:21). So stay he did; as a pastor he offered clandestine
worship services and resisted the evil regime under Hitler.
Despite the daily danger, Bonhoeffer penned Life Together—a book on
hospitality as ministry. He put this principle to the test when he lived and
worked in a monastic community and when he was imprisoned. Every meal, every
task, and every conversation, Bonhoeffer taught, was an opportunity to show
Christ to others, even under great stress or strain.
We read in Deuteronomy that just as God ministered to the Israelites who
were leaving Egypt, He instructed them to imitate Him by loving and hosting
strangers and widows (10:18-19; Ex. 22:21-22). We too are loved by God and
empowered by His Spirit to serve Him by serving others in countless ways each
day through kind words and actions.
Who on our daily journey seems lonely or lost? We can trust the Lord to
enable us to bring them hope and compassion as we live and labor together for
Him.
The more we understand God’s love for us the more love we’ll show to others. (RBC)
