We Are In This Together
Today was a good day, it was a long day. I left Fort Collins at 7 a.m. this morning and returned just before 7 p.m. I took Riley and Caed to Lakewood for their basketballs games that were early this morning. It was good to see them play and developing their skills. We then went to my mom’s house. It was good
to get there when my sister was just getting ready to leave so I could see her. Also, my aunt Paula showed up to help with some business related to our handicap van.
There were a few times that I pushed myself to the edge of what my legs were able to endure, but fortunately no falls. When I returned home Debbie commented about my endurance must be getting better, since I was not completely wiped out at the end of the day. (Here is a picture of Riley and Caed after their basketball games)
BIBLE VERSE TODAY… “Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer.” Hebrew 10:25
The famous words of Benjamin Franklin at the signing of the Declaration of Independence were, “We must surely hang together, or else we will surely hang separately!” The connection of believers is more than sharing a common faith and simply “believing the same things.” The Christian life is one of relationship with each other through Jesus Christ. The “Lone Ranger” Christian does not understand what the Christian life is really about.
We are called to community and it is vital to know that we are “members of the same team.” In that analogy that means the success of the team is dependent upon the success of each individual “player.” One of the first lessons I learned when elected to public office was that “politics is a team sport.” That means working toward the same goals, benefiting from the perspective and contribution of each person and counting on others to “be there” when you need them.
Those concepts are so important for followers of Christ to understand. As the writer of Hebrews encourages first century Christians, he says, “stay together, encourage one another.” Consistently meeting together is what provides the basis of community and the opportunity to encourage each other. If there is a quality that is needed especially as we see the “Day of the Lord, coming near”- it is courage. Sometimes we need encouragement and at others times we need to encourage someone else.
That process does not have to be complicated. I remember when I ran my marathon race, a fellow runner, a young lady, would at times even when I passed her and when she at times passed me, would call out, “keep it up Ken! You’re looking good, you can make it!” In like fashion we can encourage each others’ faith, by simply expressing confidence that “you can make it!” and cheer each other on.
We read earlier in the Book of Hebrews, “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” (Hebrews 3:13)
Encouraging each other is critical in the spiritual battles we fight that just come from daily living. At times our faith can be fragile, the opposition from the world around can discourage. That is why we need courage to help us stand strong and stable. I am thankful for the strength the comes from the Lord as we trust in Him, but often times the Lord uses each of us on the lives of others as His voice of encouragement.
So my friends, “keep going, keep believing, keep moving toward the goal, the finish line is just ahead, and you are gaining ground!”