Traveling Giving Encouragement

Do you have friends who are wonderful at coming to your aid when you need some encouragement? I do and I love them dearly for it! I never thought of the Apostle Paul that way, yet I came across this verse...

Acts 20:2-3

² He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece,³ where he stayed three months...

Paul was traveling, and what did people notice about him? The people noticed that he went "speaking many words of encouragement to the people." Wow! I appreciate just a quick couple of words from my friends, yet Paul was hallmarked with being a person who spoke many words of encouragement to those he came in contact with as he traveled. Instead of being a traveling salesman, he was a traveling encourager; (Pause.) a different picture than what I typically thought of Paul. Maybe it is because of the life he lived before Jesus knocked him off his horse! Once again it causes me to stop and have a moment of amazement at what the regenerating work of Christ does in the heart of a person. Paul had been known for a lot of things before he encountered Jesus. Encouragement would not have been on that list.

His life is quite a challenge to us in many ways. I think I will take up this one simple thing this summer and look for opportunities to speak words of encouragement to the people I meet along the way. How about you?

Living with Intention

A man pleaser? Is that what we want to be, yet I read this verse that Paul wrote.

1 Corinthians 10:33, "I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don't just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved."

Where are we being "the church"?

This verse makes me stop and think a lot about what is the "bottom line" in relating to those around me. Are we looking to spend our time and talents on ourselves - consuming them for our own good? Are we gathering together as the church to be fed and have our needs met... or do we gather together with our hearts open to each other looking to encourage each other and to reach out to those we may not know yet?

Once more in this verse, Paul talks about "doing what is best for others so that they may be saved." How are we investing so this might be a reality in our lives and in the lives of those we have in our sphere of influence? Are we using our time and talents to reach those who are not yet followers of Jesus? Luke 15:4 says, "If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it?" 

Am I living in a way that I let my life be led so it benefits others coming to know Jesus’ love? Do I live with intention, looking for the Holy Spirit to lead me to opportunities to share the Lord's love with others? Do I take time to truly listen to those around me and hear their hearts, so the words I share are relevant and show I really care? This might mean my life takes a turn in its direction and priorities. It might mean that sometimes I feel uncomfortable because the Holy Spirit challenges me to reach beyond my own personal comfort zone. It might mean my time away is spent differently than I intended... being led to invest in a stranger that I have met along the way. Maybe the individual in front of me on a Sunday or in a local diner has personal struggles they are facing. Maybe they have health issues, financial struggles, a marriage on the rocks, etc. How would Jesus respond to this person? Would he pause to give them time? Would I be willing to let their need touch my heart and move me in such a way that I show them Jesus in my response? Will I dig deep in my heart so I can find Jesus' words? Will I share some encouragement or comfort? Taking time to care is like giving them a cup of cold water when they are thirsty. 

Sharing Jesus’ love is not difficult. We just have to posture our hearts to be looking for the opportunities that are all around us. If we are willing to have our normal routine interrupted in order to touch a life with His love, doors will open and we will step into a great adventure this summer.