This week I received a gentle and gracious reminder that I (and we as a whole church) could be doing more to celebrate God's work and encourage one another. We could take more time to reflect on and rejoice at what God is doing amongst us and encourage those who serve diligently for the sake of Christ amongst us.
Sometime my hesitance is cultural. It's not really what we do to make a big song and dance about people or about good things that are happening. Whether it be our tall poppy syndrome or some sort of emotionally conservative outlook, the result is I (and many of us) chose to say nothing rather than sharing an encouraging or joyful word.
But sometimes the hesitance might not be cultural but actually spiritual.
I stay quiet because I've fail to see the good that God is doing. I don't see the ways people are pouring themselves out for God and for each other. I'm more focused on 'all that I'm doing' I don't realise how others are loving and serving self-sacrificially. I'm looking for the wrong things, a successful event where everything runs smoothly, rather than seeing what God's doing in the hearts and lives of people.
Paul's words to Philemon give us a great example to follow,
"I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people."
Philemon 5-7
Paul doesn't hold back in sharing the joy and encouragement he receives from seeing the work of Philemon in refreshing the hearts of God's people.
So, as the year wraps up, I'm going to try and take the time to celebrate with people what God is doing in our lives and our church. I'm also going to focus on others, seeing how they love and serve to 'refresh the hearts of the Lord's people' so that I can encourage them and rejoice with them.
Will you join me in sharing with others this joy and encouragement?
Grace & peace,
Andrew