Hebrews 10:25 says, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
When I think about the fact that I call myself an Encourager for Christ I almost wonder if the title is misleading to some. Maybe what I should say is a challenger for Christ? In this day and age we are living in so many want to be told the good things, the positive things. They want to be all wrapped up in a pretty little package with a big bow on top hoping to never damage the wrapping paper by opening themselves up to examine what it inside. I feel that although I want to leave people feeling joy filled I have come to realize that true joy can only come from Him and can only be found in Him.
We can try all we want to replace God, our ultimate joy giver with other things in our lives. We can become comfortable with the place or position He is in regards to our list of priorities. Only problem is that if we did this that would mean we would be living complacent lives. Knowing He is coming back many of us wait idly by looking up to the Heavens waiting for the skies to part. Feeling as if there is no work to do. I feel a little like Paul these days in regards to the excuses he heard the Thessalonians make about not understanding Christs return. Or maybe I can just relate to Paul because I was once a Saul. Finally understanding that I have been created by God for some thing more than the life I used to live. Acts 9 goes into Saul's conversion into Paul more completely.
What ever this feeling is stemming from I know one thing for sure. God has called me to boldly go out into the world and tell others about Him. And you know what, He has called you to do the same. What the Thessalonians missed was the fact that being prepared for Christs coming was not an invitation to do nothing but the call of endurance to do more. To spread the gospel and reach out to those in need and in love. Remembering that every person is worth the energy. Not knocking one another down but building them up in Christ. Do we build each other up enough? Cheer another on, say enough encouraging things to help one another onward to finish the race? Or do we get so preoccupied in our lives and in our way of doing things that we forget He is the one in control? I can honestly say that at times I forget about His plan being so much greater than mine. Forgetting hat His thoughts are far above my own. My earthly brain can not even begin to comprehend all that God has planned.
All I know is that I want to work along side Him. Furthering His Kingdom, encouraging others in their walks and standing firm against anything that is not backed up with His word. Not just encouraging but challenging if need be. "But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. "Acts 20:24 NLT
So my challenge to you in an encouraging and yet messing up the pretty package kind of way is to pray for boldness, perseverance, and a Spirit that will stand against every kind of evil. To encompass a deep burning desire to begin working along side the Spirit. Are you willing to challenge another in love so as to spur them onward? So what do you say, are you in? Will you be an encourager full of boldness and joy for Christ even when it is a challenge? May we all be able to say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful." 2 Timothy 4:7 NLT
I leave you with a prayer Paul shared with the Thessalonians in the 2nd book chapter 1, verse 12, it is my prayer not only for myself but for all believers, "With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."
