Encouraging Others!!

What's on my mind this evening? Encouraging others!! Our church is blessed to have youth serve as acolytes each week in worship. Last Sunday, I was standing at the back of the sanctuary while the acolytes went forward during the opening voluntary to place the cross and bible, and light 2 candles on the altar. The acolyte on the right had a candle-lighter that went out and she was unable to light her candle. The other candle-lighting acolyte saw what happened - you could see he wanted to help, but then he hesitated for a moment - knowing that to help her would mean he had to re-light his lighter and completely step out of his position to walk over and light her candle. From the back of the room I kept thinking "go on, help her...it's OK...help her out." And then, he did it. Yes!! The thought that came to mind was 'Sometimes we all need someone to help us get our lights lit."

I don't know who comes to your heart and mind, but if you stop and think about it, there will be someone you know who really needs a word of encouragement today (or tomorrow). Recently, a good friend of mine has been on my mind - daily. It's like the Spirit keeps whispering her name and I find myself praying for her or texting her just to express encouragement and love. I have found that the more I respond to the Spirit's leading in this area, the more the Spirit asks of me. These moments of encouragement are moments of helping someone else keep their light going. 

How many times have you encountered someone (even someone you don't know) who was being (shall I say) difficult? Their spirit was off-putting and rude or they were painfully arrogant - these are people who need encouragement or at least a response born of patience rather than reaction. Their poor choice of behavior has nothing to do with you - they are really struggling and need some help. Perhaps they should be considered '...the least of these' and our response to them should be as it would be to Jesus.  Not how we’d treat Jesus, but rather as if this person were Jesus.

We all need encouragement! This is one of the most important blessings of being in fellowship with others. God calls us to be in fellowship with him, but also with others. This is why God gave us the church. You can't really have a close relationship with God and NOT want to be in fellowship with others. One leads to the other and is evidence (to you) of your relationship with God. If you are in need of encouragement, seek God first and then get connected to a church fellowship. [And for those of you who have found church to be unsafe and unwelcoming, I am deeply sorry for your hurt. Please know, there are churches that are safe and welcoming. I hope you find one, if you are searching.]

I have to say, that one of the best ways to experience encouragement is to give it to someone else. There is something profoundly uplifting in offering another person words of encouragement. If you need encouragement, be encouraging! If you need love, be loving!

I'll close with the chorus of an old song that goes...

'So let your little light shine, shine, shine.

Let your little light shine, Oh my soul.

There might be someone down in the valley trying to get home...'

Lord, thank you for all who help me keep my light lit. Those who express an encouraging word to me, pray for me, and express their love for me in many ways. Thank you for placing encouragement and love within me to share with others, that it might help them during times when their lights are low or maybe even going out. Open my eyes to see those low lights and give me the courage needed to not hesitate to reach out and offer what is needed to help them on their way. Open the ear of my heart, Lord, to hear when others are struggling and increase my sensitivity to their need for patience and kindness. Remind me that the timing of encouragement that comes to me and that I give to others comes in response to the Holy Spirit's prompting - if I am available, the Spirit will guide me. Help me to acknowledge - when those moments come to fruition - that You are the initiator of these offerings. Lord, You are the Light of the world. So 'If we walk in the Light, as you are in the light, we have fellowship with one another..." and for that fellowship, I am eternally grateful. Amen.