One day Elisha went to Shunem. A prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to eat some food. So whenever he passed by, he stopped there to eat. Then she said to her husband, “I know that the one who often passes by here is a holy man of God, so let’s make a small room upstairs and put a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp there for him. Whenever he comes, he can stay there.” (2 Kings 4:8-10)
Holiness shows. People won’t always be able to identify exactly what it is that sets someone apart. They might say things like, “She is just so calm and has a peace about her even during chaos,” or “I’m not sure what sets him apart, but there’s something different that draws me to wonder more.” Of course, not everyone wants to know more or get closer. Sometimes the evidence of God’s presence in someone’s life repels them, because they simply aren’t in the place where they want to welcome God yet.
But when someone is curious and receptive, he or she extends hospitality. It shows an open and generous heart, searching for God’s presence. Hospitality shares life. So does holiness.
Holiness isn’t perfection; it’s humble growth. It’s the process of faith. It’s the result of faith, the evidence of faith. It is what purposes and drives faith as well as what faith develops. It is a goal and a motivation toward the goal. It is what we choose and how we surrender. Seek it, and surrender to it.
Love this post. I read your posts just about every day but don’t always comment, especially since my iPhone seems to be “glitching” and not being very cooperative. I Sam read stuff but then going to the actual WordPress site just doesn’t flow.
Anyway, a thought occurred to me when I read this: I am not always the calmest person, in fact, I sometimes wonder if my (over)reactions affect my witness. Then I thought of Peter, James and John (the brothers whom Jesus referred to as “sons of thunder “.) They weren’t always calm either! But they still trusted in God–and they grew in their belief. We know the rest of the story, and no matter what happens in our lives as believers, we know where we are going. Hanging on to that can be a testimony in itself.
Thanks, Shauna. You make a great point, and I appreciate you sharing!