Today’s Our Daily Bread, reminds me not only that I am completely gutted I am not running the London Marathon this year, but also of how important encouragement has been to me throughout any of my marathons. It is strange that even when you are at that dreaded mile 20 – 22, and your legs feel like folding under you, and you have hit that proverbial wall, one shout of encouragement can really fill you with a new burst of energy and determination of which you never expected!
When I ran the Nottingham Marathon 2 years ago, I was at around mile 23, my friend Lon had been biking along side me the whole way offering encouragement and plenty of water. I was close to tears and giving in when he suddenly biked on ahead, and somehow got an entire restaurant to start shouting in unison “Go Lee”. Partly them embarrasment, but also the inspiration from all those encouraging words spurred me on to complete my first ever marathon (and at the time I thought is should probably be my last… 2 years on and I haven’t learnt that lesson!)
Verse 24 says: Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
(NLT)
Our Christian lives are very much like a marathon. There are temptations left right and centre drawing us to them, there are many people who do not understand what we are so passionate about and they can sometimes be cruel, or inconsiderate. Busy lives with work, family and hobbies can pull us away from church and or time with the Lord. There are many times that we can hit that proverbial wall! That is why it is so important we do what we are being told here. Encourage one another.
Just as my strength was renewed on the Nottingham Marathon, our strength, our confidence, our sense of doing the right thing, our love for the Lord, our passion for Him can be renewed within a heart beat by one kind and encouraging word. We can build each other up using encouraging words, words of truth from the Bible as well as prayer. Coming together as groups of believers and sharing fellowship is so important if we are to keep running the race. Without other Christian brothers and sisters to cheer you on, there is a temptation to stop, veer off the race track, no not finish the race. Church, fellowship, Bible Study and socialising with Christians? An absolute MUST!
