Life can be full of challenges and obstacles. They may come in droves or in few; obvious or concealed in the bustle of our everyday lives. Hebrews 10:24-25 speaks of a challenge with so much truth that the words penetrate my heart.
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together…but encourage one another…” Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT
This is different from the kind of challenge I face daily like refraining from hitting the snooze button more than seven times or navigating the snowy roads while suffocating in three layers of winter coats – who else can relate? This challenge put to us is one only God can mastermind. The command here is not to love one another and do good deeds; rather, it is to consider how to motivate one another to love and to do good works.
Let me break it down:
To consider – one must give some thought
To give some thought – one must take focus off oneself (hello!)
To take your focus off yourself – one must think of others
What a challenge to think of others more than ourselves, and to motivate them to lift others up. We all need this push to grow and I’m thankful to be a part of a family that pushes me. The family beyond the one I was born into, my [Relate] Church family - where I feel safe, welcome, share similar values, and have the opportunity to learn from others. Hebrews tells us that continually “meeting together” gives us the opportunity to fulfill God's call to take our eyes off ourselves and motivate one another to love and do good works through encouragement.
When you miss church, you are missed.
Lisa Wagner
Lisa works at Relate Church as the Receptionist. She is a vital part of the community at Relate.
