WE MUST ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER.
WE MUST ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER.
I once bought a book titled Encouragement changes Everything; by John C. Maxwell. I bought this book mainly because of the title. I was in agreement with the author. We all need to be encouraged every step of our journey through life.
Right from school, we were getting bright stars for being exceptional or black marks for being naughty, and as we grew older, we won prizes and awards for being best students in different subjects, trophies and medals for being star athletes and we were promoted at work to encourage our hard work, dedication and exceptional results.
An encouraging word, a thumbs up, a pat on the back, a yipeeeee Yaaaay, a high five, a hug, are all ways by which we can encourage others. For some though, it takes much more than these. We have to sit and do a one-on-one with them.
Ironically, we should never judge a book by its cover (though I bought that book because of it’s title/cover) because honestly people are going through a lot. Yes they make an effort to put on their make-up, look good, show up, the whole nine yards, laugh at jokes, but deep down insde, they are hurting, they are in pain, they are still grieving the loss of a loved one who went to be with the LORD years back. And only encouragement can help them.
Some of us think we are just fine. We can do life alone. We know what to do when stuff happens. I wish that was truly the case. But when things happen, we might not even remember that we know what to do.
The very best ones needed encouragement at some point or other.
And here are just a few of them :
Prophet Elijah was the one who called God to answer by fire. “Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The god who answers by fire—he is God.” Then all the people said, “What you say is good.” 1 Kings 18:24
NIV And God, the LORD did answer by fire. Yet after this major national victory, Elijah received a threat from Jezebel and he immediately went into hiding even contemplating suicide. But God came to encourage him, first by sending an angel who brought him food for sustenance and then God showed up in the still small voice to encourage him. And Elijah was able to go ahead on his journey.
King David was another great one who received encouragement. When King Saul, his predecessor was hunting him down, it was Jonathan, Sauls own son who sought David out and encouraged him. He went to meet with David in the wilderness of Horesh and affirmed his support for him as the next king of Israel. And he kept reassuring David that Saul would never harm him. “And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.” 1 Samuel 23: 16-17 NIV Sometimes encouragement will come from the most unlikely and unexpected places. The important thing is to trust God. He will use whoever He needs to get things done for His children. The battle is the LORD’s.
Finally, we must not forget that even our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ was encouraged by God the Father on his earthly mission. When He was baptised by John the baptist, God encouraged Jesus by opening the heavens and sending the Holy Spirit to walk with Him to fulfill the mission. “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3: 16-18 NIV
At the mount of transfiguration as the journey to the cross drew closer, God saw the need to encourage His Son, Jesus, yet again and He did so. “While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” Matthew 17:5 NIV
Dear friends, if Elijah, David and even our LORD, Jesus Christ needed to be encouraged, then we are in very good company if we are being encouraged or if we are encouraging others.
That is why Jesus came – to encourage us. He went through all the suffering and the pain of the crucifixion and the Holy Spirit was there to help Him through.
As this year draws to a close, let us be encouraged to look forward to a better year ahead, regardless of what happened in the past eleven months. Let us encourage someone to keep trusting and thanking God that Jesus came because of us.
WE WILL BE ALRIGHT.
WE MUST ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER.
OLUYINKA EGO-MARTINS ©