Encouraging Love and Helping Out

In my Bible I’m reading the book of Hebrews… This morning one sentence stood out: ‘Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.’

Consider… Today is the first day this month with nothing written in my diary. No activity. No time when I must be somewhere. Nobody expecting me to do something. There’s time to take breath, take stock, reflect… Considering how I can encourage others to be better people is a good, but unexpected focus.

Confidence… This week I’ve met folks with significant personal challenges – a disabled, wheel-chair-bound child, regular unplanned hospital visits, difficult Christmas arrangements… Instead of reacting to difficult times with fear or doubt, I embrace a confident faith and look to encourage others to do the same.

Community… Some say that faith is a personal matter, between you and God. Keep it to yourself. One lesson I’ve become increasingly convinced of, through family, school, church, is that life and faith is not intended to be acted out alone… ‘Spurring one another on’ is about intentionally spending time with, and having a positive influence on others.

Commitment… The easy way to life – particularly as I get older – is to sit back and let life happen. Retirement, I’m told, is about relaxing, looking after myself, doing the things I want to do… Actively encouraging others, involves determined commitment to the task, and caring commitment to the person.

Compassion… Christmas often embraces the ‘good deeds’ part. Giving presents, sending cards, going to church, remembering others are all good… Love alongside the good deeds, isn’t just about belief and faith, or actions and helping people, it’s about my motivation and the feelings of my heart.

Creativity… Yesterday at Men’s Shed there was the usual robust, good natured verbal abuse and banter… Being creative in encouraging love and positive actions in others is a real but good challenge… Another translation of these words expresses it like this: ‘Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out…’