Preparing for Arrival
The Arrival Experience.
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, not the Son, but only the Father.? As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.? For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away.? That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.? Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.? Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.? But understand this:? If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.? So you also must be ready , because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.? “Who then is the faithful and wise servant in his household to give them their food at the proper time?? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.? Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.? But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.? The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of.? He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth,”? (Matthew 24:36-51 NIV).
When you open a new hotel, there’s always some fluctuation to the opening date. It takes over a year to build a hotel. If you think about everything that happens in construction and then consider the initial set up of each guest room as well as hiring and training every staff member, it’s pretty obvious why the opening date is a moving target.? In the hospitality industry, the meticulous planning and flexibility required to handle the moving target of an opening date can be quite stressful. Yet, it also highlights the importance of readiness and adaptability, qualities that are equally valuable in our spiritual lives. Just as you prepare for the unexpected in your professional life, the passage from Matthew reminds us to be spiritually prepared at all times.
It's intriguing to see how diverse elements can intertwine, offering valuable insights. Setting an opening date on July 1st initiates a process of hitting benchmarks before accepting reservations. Initially, reservations for a January time frame are accepted, gradually aligning with your target opening date. As milestones are reached, the gap between these dates narrows, signaling the final stages of readiness to welcome guests.? The way the reservation system gradually aligns with the actual opening date through a series of benchmarks is a perfect metaphor for how we should approach our spiritual readiness. Just as you meticulously prepare for a hotel’s opening, ensuring every detail is in place, we are called to prepare ourselves spiritually, meeting various milestones in our faith journey.
This process of moving closer to the target date, adjusting and refining as you go, mirrors the way we grow in our faith. Each step brings us closer to being ready for the unexpected, whether it’s a hotel opening or the return of the Son of Man. It’s about being diligent, adaptable, and always moving forward, even when the exact timing is unknown.
An example is the anticipation felt for an opening scheduled July 1st.? The hotel was on pace and ready to open its doors on July 4th.? Due to the reservations availability dance, the hotel could only make reservations for the night of July 4th for three days.? The hotel had one reservation for the night it was opening:? Mr. Smith.
Disappointment struck as anticipation turned to dismay at the no-show of Mr. Smith, despite the meticulous preparations and eager hearts of every associate and manager. The stage was set, but alas, the star never graced us with his presence.?
The night was not wasted; additional training and polishing silverware kept us occupied. Nametags lazily piled in the center were a reminder of unmet expectations. Casual conversations and selfies filled the void.
Suddenly, a walk-in guest burst through the door, igniting a flurry of activity as we scrambled to welcome this unexpected arrival. A night of twists and turns in the hospitality world!
This particular guest was driving by, saw the illuminated sign, and decided to see if he could get a room. The hotel had more than 150 available rooms and a full team of associates ready to cater to his every need. From extra towels to a bedtime story, the staff was prepared to make his stay unforgettable.
Since then, the hotel ensures a seamless guest experience by meticulously preparing for each arrival. From researching preferences to adding favorite beverages, allergy-free pillows, and hand-written welcome notes, every detail is thoughtfully considered. Clean and inspected rooms eagerly await the arrival of each guest, creating a welcoming environment for a memorable stay.
At this hotel, every guest is a priority, whether they arrive with a reservation or as a walk-in. The genuine desire to serve and our hospitality spirit guide us through unscripted interactions and spur-of-the-moment room assignments.
For our seasoned service associates, serving a walk-in guest is a joy. They seamlessly navigate technology to assign rooms, create electronic keys, and ensure a warm welcome. However, this can be a daunting task for new associates. Despite the challenges, they manage engaging conversations, confirm payments, and make every guest feel as valued as the other 100 arrivals on their shift.
Learning from past experiences is crucial. We've taken a valuable lesson from the Mr. Smith slip incident: always stay focused and prepared for every guest arrival. Keeping our eyes on the door ensures that we never miss an opportunity to offer assistance and create a delightful experience for every guest.
The story beautifully illustrates the dedication and attention to detail that goes into hospitality. The way the staff rallied for the unexpected walk-in guest shows the true spirit of service and readiness. It’s a great reminder that we should always be prepared to offer our best, even when things don’t go as planned.
This experience also ties back to the biblical lesson of being vigilant and prepared for the unexpected. Just as your team learned to stay ready for any guest, we are reminded to stay spiritually prepared for the return of the Son of Man.
In the Bible, Matthew tells us of Jesus’ return.? Guess what?? He Doen’t have a reservation.
One thing is for certain.? Much like the floating dates on the calendar that represent the space from a hotel target opening date to the reservation availability date, the gab between ascension of the Lord and His return gets smaller with every passing day.
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, not the Son, but only the Father.? As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.? For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away.? That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.? Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.? Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.? Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.? But understand this:? If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.? So you also must be ready , because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”? (Matthew 24:36-44)
Reading the words in Matthew 24:36-44, I'm reminded of the uncertainty that comes with unexpected events. The analogy of a new associate fretting over an unforeseen important visitor resonates deeply. The stakes are infinitely higher when contemplating the return of Christ, far beyond the concerns of a simple guest experience review. The urgency to be prepared is emphasized, as we cannot feign readiness when the time comes.
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The comparison between the anticipation of an important guest and the return of Christ really drives home the importance of being genuinely prepared. Just as the team learned to stay ready for any guest, we are reminded that our spiritual readiness cannot be faked or rushed at the last minute.
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The stakes are indeed much higher when it comes to our spiritual lives. The passage from Matthew emphasizes the need for constant vigilance and preparedness, as we do not know the day or hour of Christ’s return. It’s a call to live our lives in a state of readiness, ensuring that our actions and hearts are aligned with our faith.
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Practice truly does make perfect, and it can transform anxiety into confidence. The same principle applies to our spiritual lives. Regularly engaging in practices like prayer, meditation, studying scripture, and serving others can help us stay spiritually prepared and grounded. These routines build our faith and readiness, making us more comfortable and confident in our spiritual journey.
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Just as role-playing and rehearsing help you handle unexpected guests with grace, spiritual disciplines help us respond to life’s challenges with faith and resilience. It’s all about being proactive and intentional in our preparation.? We can make sure that our nametags are not in a dusty pile of regrets, but rather pinned squarely on our chest, reflecting lives of anticipation, service, and hospitality.?
Keeping our “nametags” pinned squarely on our chests symbolizes living with purpose, readiness, and a heart for service. It reflects a life of anticipation and hospitality, always prepared to welcome and serve others, whether in our professional roles or our spiritual journeys.
By practicing and embodying these values daily, we can move from fear to anticipation, knowing that we are ready for whatever comes our way. This approach not only enhances our professional lives but also deepens our spiritual readiness, ensuring that we are always prepared to meet the unexpected with grace and confidence.
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