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We live in a world where it is so easy to get discouraged. If you just look around your surroundings, you will see people who wonder if this "rat race" is worth it. The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, "Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! (25) All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. (26) So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. (27) I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified" (NLT). 

At most sporting events, there are cheerleaders cheering their team on in the game. If you ever watch a race or a marathon, you will see people holding signs for their loved in the competition encouraging them to keep going. It gives that person an emotional shot of adrenaline to keep running -- to not quit. Notice, Paul writes above, "run to win!" That is our goal and our purpose. We should help each other cross the finish line. Watch this youtube video where one runner turned around to help another runner cross the line who had fallen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbXy2vkJxSk. 

I have been a runner most of my life and I can tell you, on those long runs when your legs start cramping and your brain is shouting, "Quit," it helps to have someone encouraging you to finish. Following Jesus is a life-long journey of finding out what pleases God and doing it according to Ephesians 5:10. Following Jesus is not a checklist of things we are to do but of internal character qualities we should have -- one of which should be encouragement.

Who this week could you text, call, send a note, or go up to personally and encourage them? Here is what I have discovered. When I do that, I get encourage by the act of doing it. I don't do it to get something back from them, but the blessing or encouragement comes from doing it. Look at Hebrews 10:24-25, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, (25) not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near" (ESV). 

Love you, Pastor Kelly

Verse To Meditate On: 1 Thessalonians 5:11,  "So encourage each other and build each other up" (NLT). 

Prayer To Prayer: "Lord, use me today to be a blessing and an encourager to someone. There are so many people who are discouraged, depressed and down. Use me Jesus to be Your means to lift them up. Jesus, use me to a cheerleader to someone today.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

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