I had a little insight about hospitality on Sunday morning.
It happened while I was introducing a song I had written to a congregation north of Melbourne.

As you may know, I have been exploring the concept of hospitality for a few years now – the idea of making space for the other. But how do you actually do that?

The insight that came to me seems so obvious and I knew it intuitively – it was actually what the song was about!

To make space for another, one must first make space in oneself.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean throwing things out, but simply to put them to one side – provisionally. Putting those things aside, those prejudices, those tastes, those things I thought were certain, to allow room for the incoming stranger – whether the stranger be a person, an idea, a piece of knowledge or a piece of culture.

When you think about it, it’s how we ‘try’ things.

I haven’t recorded this song yet, but here are the words! (Set to a nice little waltz).

Hold The World Lightly

Let’s hold the world lightly and treat the earth rightly
Respect for all peoples, their cultures and birth.
Embracing our neighbours, enjoying the flavours,
So glad for all goodness that springs from the earth.

Refrain:
Space for freedom and peace in you brings space for freedom in me;
Space for freedom and peace in me brings space for freedom in you.

Let’s hold the text lightly, let’s not press too tightly,
Delight in the richness it brings to our day.
Let’s hold our lives open to what God has spoken
And speaks to us daily, that shows us the way.

Let’s not hold so lightly but speak up forthrightly
When freedom and justice and truth are at stake.
Let’s speak for the silenced abused by the tyrants;
Be voice for the voiceless, their hope to awake.

Let’s hold our lives lightly, be open and kindly
A space for the stranger to be in this place.
Embracing the danger to welcome the stranger
We open our arms in refreshing embrace.