Entertaining Angels | Featured Artiste: Tarrah Ejugbo
Labels:
Angels,
Hospitality,
Music,
Tarrah Ejugbo
For whatever reason, this particular verse has been on replay in my mind:
At the same time, I am reminded of that song, "Entertaining Angels" by the Newsboys, which I suspect was culled from the same verse. Thinking of that verse (and song) made me think of the Nigerian culture and hospitality. I think generally (and I use this loosely), Nigerians are hospitable people. However, because of a combination of experiences, cultural beliefs and strange stories (some true, some "FABU" a.k.a tales invented to keep naughty children (and agbayas) in check) we are not very welcoming of strangers (Unless they have money; then we call it Trade).
Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers,
for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!
(Hebrews 13:2 NLT)*
At the same time, I am reminded of that song, "Entertaining Angels" by the Newsboys, which I suspect was culled from the same verse. Thinking of that verse (and song) made me think of the Nigerian culture and hospitality. I think generally (and I use this loosely), Nigerians are hospitable people. However, because of a combination of experiences, cultural beliefs and strange stories (some true, some "FABU" a.k.a tales invented to keep naughty children (and agbayas) in check) we are not very welcoming of strangers (Unless they have money; then we call it Trade).
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| [Guardian Angels] |
Of course, I am assuming that you know that angels (good and bad) exist. With the prevalence of gbomo-gbomo (kidnappers) and ritual killings, the last thing on people's minds is entertaining strangers. I also think it depends on where you live, i.e. city versus village. Due to factors like higher crime rates and over-population in cities, people tend to be more suspicious, less trusting of people, and consequently, less hospitable (if at all).
Regardless of where you live, would you take a complete stranger and allow him or her into your home? Very dangerous, isn't it? Or if you were driving along the highway, would you stop to pick up a hitch-hiker? Would your answer be different if you were a woman and the hitch-hiker was a man? I certainly would NOT stop. I value my life, and I don't trust strangers, period. However, the word of God is true, and some people have actually entertained angels, so to speak without knowing it. So my question is this: How would you be hospitable to strangers without compromising personal security? Or should you even "talk" to strangers, talk less of entertaining them?
