Encourage One Another
Former NFL quarterback, Jeff Kemp, shared a story at our men’s conference this past Saturday. He was a rookie trying to make his first team, one of the fifty men fighting for ten or so spots on the team. Along the way a twelve-year-old boy started hanging around tryouts. He started walking with Jeff from the locker room to the field. Then he started carrying Jeff’s helmet and pads. One day after practice he turned to Jeff and said, “Can I ask you a question?” Jeff was already reaching for his sharpie, sure this was the moment he would deliver his first pro autograph. “Sure kid, what can I do for you?” The boy turned and very politely asked, “When are the good players going to show up?”
I Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up.” Sometimes we don’t realize how our words might land on others. It helps to take a step back and think it through beforehand. I appreciate Paul saying earlier, in chapter 2 verse 9, “We worked night and day that we might not be a burden to any of you…” Paul probably was referring mainly to financial burdens, but the principle holds true personally and emotionally: As Christians we are called to work hard to be kind and encouraging to others in our relationships. I know that’s not always easy, but that’s when we’re called to be most intentional, especially when it’s not easy.
Take a moment today or tomorrow morning and pray for God to show you who in your life needs an intentional act of love or encouragement. But be ready: It may be someone you’d rather avoid. I get that. We’ve all been there. Pray for wisdom and see if God lays a specific act on your heart. It’s through our acts of love that our church builds unity, and ultimately that paves the way for the gospel to spread to our friends, neighbors, class-mates, and family members all across Southwest Louisville!
Photo by Kamaji Ogino