On Encouragement
Earlier this week I screwed up big time. The YWAM campus was having a going-away dessert night for an older couple (Mark and Donna) who had been faithfully serving here in Townsville for many years. They were heading back home to the U.S. a couple of days later.
After staying for a while at the dessert night, I was very tired and went to head home. Donna stopped Renee and me on the way out to encourage us about all the good things she felt we were bringing to the YWAM campus.
I thanked her, glanced over at Mark—who was talking with someone on the couch—and went home. The thing was, I had been really impacted by both of them during these last few months. Mark and Donna, among other things, were the steady rock—the elder statesman and stateswoman—of the campus. Always serving, always encouraging, always challenging us to grow in our walk with the Lord.
I wanted to express my gratitude to them both, but I was tired and justified it by telling myself I was sure to see them at least one more time before they left. As it turns out, I wasn’t able to catch up with them again, and then they flew back home.
As a relatively new Christian a long time ago, I remember when our church youth group was giving out awards at the end of the year. I was given the “Barnabas” award—for outstanding achievements as an encourager. Over the following years, my zeal for that diminished considerably and was replaced with cynicism and judgment. It didn’t happen overnight, but it was a subtle shift that was only heading in one direction.
This year I’ve been making a conscious effort to return to what was lost so many years ago, and I’ve made good progress—with the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Giving encouragement is such a huge blessing to others. It brightens their day, puts a smile on their face, gives them hope, and reflects God’s heart of love for them. But a funny thing happens when we decide to encourage others.
We change as well.
Cynicism and judgment can’t coexist alongside encouragement. The two are mutually exclusive. They can cohabit awkwardly for a short time, but one inevitably drives the other out. Don’t just take my word for it—try it sometime.
Pick someone at church, work, or school that you harbor ill feeling toward. Make a deliberate choice to encourage them about something (and bonus points for doing it in front of others).
God’s kingdom works in the opposite spirit to the kingdom of this world. When we practice that, we will be blessed beyond measure.
As for me, I know I threw away a perfect chance to send Mark and Donna on their way after many years of faithful service with heartfelt gratitude for all they had done for this campus and for me personally.
But I’m not giving up. I’m going to double down, because when I’ve been shown a win-win principle, I’d be mad to choose the alternative.
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
Such an encouraging word and exactly what the Lord has been highlighting to me! Hey you should be a writer, you are good at it! :+) Give Renee a hug from me!
April