God's Hotel
Chilhowie Christian Church, Chilhowie, VA
Let me tell you about God’s Hotel. First, let’s begin with how to get there. Starting from wherever you are, go outside, get in your car, and begin to drive. Or walk. Or hop. It doesn’t really matter. But for this particular location, we chose to drive. Set your intentions to arrive somewhere else completely, and at a pretty specific time. This part is very important! In order to get to God’s Hotel, you must first have well-laid plans for God to throw out the window.
Next, hit a deer. Going 70mph. At night. With your car. I’m not sure that this is required, but it’s what worked for us! Be very careful to drive off the highway at the first exit, arriving safely in the Middle of Nowhere. Look around and acknowledge that you are utterly lost and utterly helpless. If it helps, do the math in your head and realize that you greatly underestimated your insurance deductible. Try to stay close to some sort of habitation, even though in the dark it may feel as if you’ll be greeted with a shotgun. Be brave and knock on such doors, and enjoy being greeted with smiles instead. Allow the check-in process to begin!
In times like these, God’s Hotel has private chauffeurs to get you and your things safely to your new room. Ours was the pastor’s son-in-law and a tow-truck driver. Let your kids have fun riding in a tow truck! It’s free! (kind-of).
Arrive at the front doors and take it all in. Bricks and mortar are lovely, but the people that God employs are what makes this hotel review worthy. Before you even walk through the doors, they don’t miss a thing. Dinner will be served, don’t you worry! And fresh blankets, towels, and hot tea! First-class service!
We were put up in the “Family Missions” room, which makes sense, right? God went through all that trouble of labeling a room just for us, because apparently we had booked it months ago, years ago, possibly before we were born. As for our stay, I’m positive we were signed up for the VIP package. We’ve enjoyed breakfast, lunch, and dinners, hot showers, fresh ice, hot chocolate, gorgeous mountain views, an indoor basketball court, great conversations, prayers, even netflix and comfy couches! I almost lost sleep worrying about the final bill, but then remembered that at God’s Hotel, He covers that too. Simply amazing.
We are lacking in nothing. Our bellies are full. Our kids are safe. We are fully taken care of and want for nothing. How can we not have joy in our hearts? How can we question our God? How can we worry about tomorrow? At God’s Hotel, we cannot.
God’s Hotels are everywhere. Because even the “Middle of Nowhere” is “Somewhere” to God. You won't always know them by the outside, or even where to find them, but that’s the beauty of our faith and His care. If you are stranded, He will send his people out to find you. If you are seeking, knock and His doors will open up to you, wherever you are, whenever you are lost and in deep need.
Some of you have walked in to God’s Hotel before, and found it lacking. And to that I tell you that sometimes, God’s Hotels are under renovation. There won't be construction signs, but you’ll know it by the actions of its people. Their rejection isn’t about you, its about the people doing the rejecting. God is renovating that place, so be patient and pray for them. Other times, God’s Hotel has changed ownership altogether and is no longer a place of God at all! Again, you’ll know by the actions of its people. Shake the dust off your feet and keep going.
As for us, we will never forget our stay here at God’s Hotel in Chilhowie, Virginia. Let me end this by thanking all who God employed here for us, for God’s Hotels are nothing without His people. It’s Trevor who checked us in with dinner and warm blankets. Todd kept us locked in and safe at night. Larry made sure we awoke with smiles and bellies full of breakfast (more than once!) and kept a gentle watch over us the whole time. Shay shared her dinner skills, Richard made amazing meatballs and Catelyn gave our girls unicorn cookies to decorate. His people are where the true treasure lies, because they are the conduits of His love. And we are forever grateful.
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:35