Devotions for a Busy Business Person, No. 325 — Welcoming the Stranger
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One of the privileges of serving people in Central and West Asia is that I am often the guest of some of the most hospitable people in the world. From Pakistan to Kazakhstan, and from India to Iraq, welcoming the stranger is considered a high calling.
“Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it.” — Hebrews 13:2
I have often felt anxious stepping into a new culture, unsure of the customs or even what constitutes good manners. Yet in almost every case, my hosts quickly put me at ease. They did more than receive me; they made me feel genuinely welcome.
Jesus placed great importance on such hospitality:
“I was a stranger, and you took me in.” — Matthew 25:35b
In business, our clients may also arrive as strangers.
A prospective client walking into our place of business, or calling us for the first time, may feel anxious and uncertain. They may not understand our terminology, our processes, or even whether we can be trusted. They may be worried about the cost, embarrassed by how little they know, or afraid of making the wrong decision.
Our job is not merely to sell them something. It is to welcome them.
Years ago, I arrived in Vancouver, Canada exhausted. The following day, I was scheduled to appear as an expert witness before a tribunal. I walked into the downtown Hyatt unfamiliar with both the hotel and my surroundings. I paused in the foyer, trying to get my bearings.
The reception clerk did not wait for me to approach the desk. She came out from behind it, crossed the foyer, shook my hand, and warmly welcomed me. Immediately, I felt that I was being taken care of. A strange place felt like home.
That simple act has stayed with me. The clerk did not merely process my reservation; she noticed me. She saw my uncertainty and met me more than halfway.
How often do we remain safely behind our own “reception desks,” waiting for the client to make the first move? Do our language, systems, websites, and procedures make people feel welcome—or make them feel like outsiders? Do we notice the hesitant person at the door, the confused voice on the telephone, or the unanswered question in a client’s eyes?
Biblical hospitality is the intentional act of making room for another person. We step out from behind our desks and our routines, to meet someone where they are.
“Therefore receive one another, even as Christ also received you, to the glory of God.” — Romans 15:7
Each client is a person entrusted to us. When we welcome that person, we reflect something of the welcome Christ has extended to us.
Today, look for the stranger standing uncertainly in your foyer—whether that foyer is physical, digital, or metaphorical. Step out from behind the desk. Meet that person more than halfway. Help them feel at home.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You came more than halfway to seek and save us. Help me to welcome the stranger, to step out from behind my desk of assumptions, and to stand beside my clients with patience and understanding, even as You stand with us.
Amen
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