Read: I Thessalonians 5:1-11; Hebrews 10:24-25
It is a hot summer day, and I enjoy every moment of it. You see, the day is July 24, the very day I was brought into this world as a tiny little baby (just a “tiny” 10 lb. baby; you get the picture). My two sons, with their gifts and cards, all say the right thing: “You are a wonderful Dad, you worked so hard for us, and you always took time to play with us.” Now, if I wrote those birthday cards, I probably would say it a little differently: “Happy Birthday to the dad we never saw, to the man who was always fixing everyone else’s problems, and to the man who worked too hard.” No, I think I was a decent Dad, it’s just that Hallmark always wants to canonize us and make us “The Best Dad in the World” (by the way, how can there be more than one “Best Dad in the World”). But that’s okay, my boys still love and respect me. And if that is all there is, I am encouraged beyond measure. But something happened that day that caused me to be further encouraged!
On that day I, the “Birthday Boy”, was very excited! You see, we went to the Amish Village to take a tour together. Isn’t that exciting? (yeah, my boys felt the same way, but they did it anyway because it was MY BIRTHDAY!) My boys, myself, and my plus one all took the tour. However, our tour guide was 14 years old. He just started two weeks ago and was still uncertain about the difference between the Amish and the Mennonites.
HE NEEDED ENCOURAGEMENT
Later, I found out from the guide that he very much appreciated the huge tip that he received from my sons. (To which I also was surprised since good tips are usually reserved for the smooth and most experienced guides.) Afterwords, I asked my one son why he tipped so generously. He replied: “I could see the guy was unsure of himself and he needs to get better as he grows in his new job”. Wow! Now that’s encouragement.
ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER
In First Thessalonians chapter 5, there are believers concerned about the Second Coming of Christ. Apostle Paul reminds them not to worry but to remember just who they are. He writes, “We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled… Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
Paul recognizes the importance and necessity of encouragement. It is not a once and done thing. We must constantly remind people of who they are in Christ. It’s like my wife, when we got married, I made it a point to tell her that I love her, but you know what? She forgot and I have to tell her again, and again, and again. Everyone needs encouraging reminders!
GIVING AND RECEIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
Seriously, the young tour guide needed encouragement. He needed the reminder: “You will get better; you will get through this”. The Thessalonians made sure to encourage each other. That is why Paul praised them in his introduction. Every Christian needs encouragement and also to be an encourager. This is not optional! Paul writes in Hebrews: “but let us encourage one another.” This is what it means to be part of the Body of Christ: when one is discouraged, another is there to lift him up. When a believer feels down, another brother is to speak encouraging words. Welcome to God’s plan for the Encouraging Church!