preface:: I am not a Bible scholar. I hold no degree from a Christian University. I can count the amount of time I've been a missionary in mere hours! 576… And it's after midnight.
But my heart is burning making sleep impossible.
HEBREWS 3:13
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called "Today," so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
I've had this verse taped above my bed for a week now.
Initially drawn to the words because of the World Race's practice of feedback.
A reminder to myself to encourage my teammates with positive feedback. To call out the greatness in them, to remind them, "you are worthy!" Being a team of seven women we are not immune to pity parties… but this verse was going to change that!
I was going to compliment on days when they felt less than beautiful. I was going to go out of my way to say thank you! I would offer words of affirmation. I planned to give the gift of quality time. In encouraging well, I would be loving well.
They would not be deceived by sin. I wasn't going to let these women believe the lies of this world. They would not feel abandoned, unreceived, or lonely. Their hearts would not be hardened! They would be encouraged!
I am encourager… hear me cheer you on!
Then…
No one did anything worth encouraging.
Not. one. thing.
People cried, people pouted, people talked and laughed loudly late into the night, people didn't press into ministry, people opted out of ministry, people preferred themselves. People interrupted my quiet time!
And there I sat. Quietly and apathetically.
Frustrated with the women around me. All I wanted to do was give them compliments but they were making it so difficult. How could they be so… human? I was not going to encourage this kind of behavior.
•••
As most good things do, conviction came with coffee this morning.
In withholding encouragement I had discouraged. And become discouraged.
It was I who had been deceived by sin.
It was my heart that was hardened.
In failing to encourage, I failed to see goodness in my teammates.
Encouragement isn't a gift for others. Encouragement is a necessary defense against sin's deceitfulness. Encouragement crushes the lie that others fall short. Encouragement recognizes others as a child of Christ. Encouragement softens our hearts to differences.
Friends:: Who can you encourage today? Who do you NEED to encourage today? Do not let your hearts be hardened for another moment! Speak encouragement to one another…
