So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT
This is a dangerous verse, in particular, this translation. Pulled out by itself, standing alone on this page, removed from the overall context of the letter to the church at Thessalonica, it reads like a cute little verse about being a good friend, a welcome companion in life, a caring coconspirator in this journey of faith.
Looking beyond the part about encouragement, skimming through the part about building each other up, we arrive at the part that really smacks me in the face. Granted, it’s NOT in context. We DON’T have the backstory. We DON’T know what’s been happening at the church, what Paul is talking about…blah blah blah. Anyways, I hope these 6 words haunt you the rest of the day, like seriously stir something within the deep recesses of your soul, like they are mine…
…just as you are ALREADY DOING.
Paul is encouraging the encouragers! They are DOING it! KEEP IT UP, he says. DON’T STOP!
There’s seriously something to be said about encouragement. And this is coming from the guy who only last year didn’t believe in encouragement. I’ve always believed people should have it in mind to do what needs to be done simply because it needs to be done. I shouldn’t need to tell you good job or that I appreciate it. You’re an adult. Act like it.
That was me.
I REALLY believed that.
God forgive me.
The past 2 days my son, Isaiah, has come home from school with notes from his teacher, cards really, cards that would put Hallmark out of business, personal, heartfelt cards. Inside these carefully crafted pieces of artwork, yes they came with hand drawn pictures, I found words like…
Hooray
Proud
Terrific
Great
Best
Thank you
Awesome
Fabulous
Love
And, probably most importantly, Isaiah. The cards contained his name. Acknowledged. Affirmed. Built up. Encouraged.
Words can’t properly express the image of the smile that found its way to my son’s face and has remained there for TWO DAYS!
So, here’s what I want you to do today (and I’m going to do it too), send someone a card, call someone, stop by someone’s desk, and tell them how much you appreciate them as a husband, as a wife, as a son, a daughter, a co-worker, a friend.
…just as you were ALREADY DOING. Let’s bring some truth to this statement.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT
This is a dangerous verse, in particular, this translation. Pulled out by itself, standing alone on this page, removed from the overall context of the letter to the church at Thessalonica, it reads like a cute little verse about being a good friend, a welcome companion in life, a caring coconspirator in this journey of faith.
Looking beyond the part about encouragement, skimming through the part about building each other up, we arrive at the part that really smacks me in the face. Granted, it’s NOT in context. We DON’T have the backstory. We DON’T know what’s been happening at the church, what Paul is talking about…blah blah blah. Anyways, I hope these 6 words haunt you the rest of the day, like seriously stir something within the deep recesses of your soul, like they are mine…
…just as you are ALREADY DOING.
Paul is encouraging the encouragers! They are DOING it! KEEP IT UP, he says. DON’T STOP!
There’s seriously something to be said about encouragement. And this is coming from the guy who only last year didn’t believe in encouragement. I’ve always believed people should have it in mind to do what needs to be done simply because it needs to be done. I shouldn’t need to tell you good job or that I appreciate it. You’re an adult. Act like it.
That was me.
I REALLY believed that.
God forgive me.
The past 2 days my son, Isaiah, has come home from school with notes from his teacher, cards really, cards that would put Hallmark out of business, personal, heartfelt cards. Inside these carefully crafted pieces of artwork, yes they came with hand drawn pictures, I found words like…
Hooray
Proud
Terrific
Great
Best
Thank you
Awesome
Fabulous
Love
And, probably most importantly, Isaiah. The cards contained his name. Acknowledged. Affirmed. Built up. Encouraged.
Words can’t properly express the image of the smile that found its way to my son’s face and has remained there for TWO DAYS!
So, here’s what I want you to do today (and I’m going to do it too), send someone a card, call someone, stop by someone’s desk, and tell them how much you appreciate them as a husband, as a wife, as a son, a daughter, a co-worker, a friend.
…just as you were ALREADY DOING. Let’s bring some truth to this statement.
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