The Power of Encouragement
As a family life minister, there is one passage that I hope our congregation truly embraces. Hebrews 10.24-25 reads as follows. “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day approaching.” You may think that I am exaggerating, but I can probably predict the life expectancy and health of most congregations by the extent to which it adopts the ideas in this verse. Today, let’s consider the practical implications of various portions of this verse.
First, how much do we strive to stir up one another toward love and good works? Unfortunately, it is very easy for a church family to be relatively disconnected with one another. Too many relationships in a congregation are superficial at best. Meaning, we say hello and maybe even exchange some formal pleasantries, but do not make the effort to develop a strong bond. I know I am guilty of this and I ask your forgiveness as I strive to improve and grow. However, I ask you to do the same. While building the relationship is one thing, we must also consider what we do with that relationship. Are we fostering a family that continually strives to help direct one another toward good works for God? Hopefully, we develop the kind of relationships that allow us to do this. As Christians, I should already know that you have a longing desire to serve God. Therefore, my presentation of an opportunity to work for our God should be a true blessing. Are we developing this atmosphere as a congregation?
Second, and related to the first, is the idea of encouraging one another. The paragraph above, while hopefully our goal, is also a utopia-like description of what the church could be. The reality is that we constantly struggle with various difficulties inherent in our day-to-day activities. Our friends and families struggle with addictions, our jobs are continually in jeopardy, our loved ones struggle with cancer, we have no idea how we will make it through retirement, etc. Tragedies like mass shootings remind us of the temporary nature of this world and the fact that life itself is not a guarantee. In other words, we need encouragement.
We need the type of encouragement that only a true friend can provide. We need the kind of encouragement that helps us press on despite the reality of these difficulties. We need the kind of encouragement that helps strengthen our hearts and love toward God and one another. Every Sunday, there are numerous individuals in our worship service who put on their Sunday best and a smile which hides the pain beneath. Our assembly should be a place for both praise and healing. While God is the ultimate healer, many issues demand that He work through us. Therefore, He left us this reminder in Hebrews 10.24-25.
Fulfilling the ideals within this passage demand effort, intention, and a willingness to go beyond our comfort zones. But that is okay since God did not call us to a life of ease. So, where do we begin the process of becoming a church that embraces these ideals? A good place to begin is in our homes. Sadly, too many families suffer from the disconnect already described in our church families. Spouses, consider one another and stir up love and good works. Parents, your children will be stirred up by everything but these traits in our society. You need to be continually proactive in order to show your children something different. Is your home a place of constant encouragement, or is it a place of strife? God, through His word, continually illustrates our value and worth to Him. We need that from God, but we need it from one another as well.
As I mentioned above, it is not embellishment to say that the future of our congregation will correlate to our ability to embrace these values. The power of encouragement is regularly underestimated. In many ways, our congregation is great at this. However, I know that we can, and must, improve. This week, consider the words of Hebrews 10.24-25 carefully.