Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all
these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip
down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins.
Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in.
Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that
exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the
way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor,
right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over
that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed
through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! –Hebrews 12:1-3
Remember yesterday when I said I’m not
athletic? That doesn’t mean I don’t like sports. I really do. I love hockey
& football & the Olympics & I’m a super fan of everything my kids
have ever participated in. To be honest, if one of my kids were to be in a spitting
contest, I would want to be there to cheer them on. Our boys were football
players all the way through grade school & on up through college. When they
played, I learned their positions so I would be able to understand what they
were doing & where they were going to be next so I could watch them. Don’t misunderstand
me, if you aren’t a wide receiver or a lineman or a half-back or a corner back,
I very well might have no idea what the heck you are doing but I know what my
boys did & what they didn’t. To be honest, it didn’t really matter how well
they played, I cheered like a maniac anyway. Cause they were mine & they
are awesome.
This brings me to my second epiphany
courtesy of the Spunk Days 5K… as I rounded the corner after the water station,
I passed my girlfriend’s house. She was sitting out front in her lawn chair
cheering on the runners & drinking what I can only assume, was her second morning
cup of coffee. As I stumbled on by, I waved & she shouted some encouraging
words my direction.
I
love this part of the run. Seriously.
In fact, there is very little I like better
than encouragement. It is my favorite. All along the route there were people
lined up along the road cheering for us… even some of the participants panted
out these words as they passed me by.
“Great job!”
“Keep going!”
“You can do it!”
Something about their presence & those
words spurred me on. My pace picked up. I ran harder. I ran better.
Hello? Do you feel the spiritual implications of
what this could look like if we became a people of encouragers? Not just with
our words but with our actions too?
So often I see what Hubs calls ‘the walking
wounded’. People so beat down by life that they can barely put one foot in
front of the other, let alone look you in the eye. Sometimes the people of God
give the worst encouragement. They say things like, “Here’s a Bible verse for
you.” But they don’t stop to explain. Or “Just turn to God”. But they don’t
show them how. Or “I’ll pray for you”. But they don’t. While as well meaning as
these words can be, more often than not they cause more pain & to be honest
come off trite at the very least. Don’t shoot the messenger here people. You
gotta put a little love & action behind your words if you truly want them
to mean something. For reals.
I mean, what if, when we observe our
brother take a risk for the cause of Christ, instead of muttering under our
breath that he’s a whackadooradical, we run alongside him & shout, “Whoooohoooooo!”
“I’m here to support you.” “Great job!” “I’m
so stinkin’ proud of you.” & “Because you stepped out in scary faith, here’s
what Jesus promises you in His Word.”
What if, when we see our sister struggling under
a burden too heavy for her to bear, instead of looking the other way, we put our
hand on her shoulder & affirm, “You are precious.” "You matter." “I’m here to walk with
you.” “Keep going!” “Jesus is here & He will sustain you.
Let me show you how.”
What if, when we watch someone struggling
in their sin, instead of talking behind their back, we gently take them aside
& say, “I love you.” “I’m here to hold you accountable.” “I know it’s hard
but you can do it!” & “I’ll pray WITH you.”
Simple words. Full of love. Offering hope.
Cheers from mile two people!
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