Do you ever get discouraged and feel all alone again (naturally)? Alone Again (Naturally) was a 1971 hit that was Grammy-nominated for Song of the Year by Gilbert O’Sullivan. I hope the lyrics of his song were not his life. If so, no wonder he was discouraged.
We Need Someone To Be There
We have all been discouraged at a time when we needed some encouragement. You may have had an appointment with “that” someone to be encouraged. But then they didn’t make it. The person you were to meet apologizes profusely. And you respond, “No worries. Really, it’s alright. I understand.” But in our heart, we are downcast and disappointed.
Most of us have been on both sides of this. Missing an appointment with someone who needed and wanted to connect, to being the one on the other end of the no-show.
Where Is God
We like to so easily ask the question while pointing the finger, where is God? Why does He allow this to happen? If God is love, where’s the love?
The real question should be, where were you? Or more generally, where was the church?
Although “church” has come to mean a building or organization, the original Greek ekklesia meant “a gathering, assembly” and is the basis for our word “congregation.” And that is what God designed the church to be—a group of people.
The definition of a “church” as a separate building specifically for worship would have been foreign to the early believers, as they met in homes. When a building was mentioned in the New Testament, it was always about the church (the people) that met there.
Romans 16:5a AMP
Also greet the church that meets in their house.
And there are several other similar references in God’s word. But my point is this. The church is the body of Christ, literally. And it’s our job to do the work of God so others see that God is at work, through us.
Where Is The Church
So how do we show that God is at work? How do we become that person of encouragement to others? Paul gives us great insight into the mechanics of encouragement. Paul worked at it. Here are a few things he did:
- He was assessable.
- Whether he was there with them or locked up in prison – he was lifting them up (blessing them).
- To bless means to ‘lift up’.
- Whether he was there with them or locked up in prison – he was lifting them up (blessing them).
- He made investments.
- He invested his time and demonstrated integrity.
- He spoke the truth in love.
- Particularly during the hard times. Showing support during the good times anyone can do.
- He prayed for them.
- Demonstrating genuine care and love.
- Action challenge – Pray for someone today ‘on the spot’ instead of telling them you’ll pray and then walk away.
- Demonstrating genuine care and love.
Acts 20:17-38 NIV (you can read this complete section of scripture after the Challenge below). Paul did all of this during difficult circumstances. He was facing hardships (too many to list) and separation from friends often. Yet, despite his circumstances, he was always lifting others up.
They Are Not Perfect
Have you ever come across someone who seemed to have it together? You liked and respected them because they, like Paul, were always encouraging others. You gleaned energy from just being around them.
Then one day, you heard what they had gone through – a hardship, a trial, difficult times, losing a loved one. But all the while you had no idea. And while they responded to you and others around them, you thought they had a perfect life. Well, at least a pretty good life.
We often think, “They don’t face hardships or trials.” Paul was always concerned and thinking about others and how he could lift them up…. despite his trials and challenges.
Challenge of the Week
What do others see in you? When they see you, are they energized or are they already drained before you even get to them? Most people, in Paul’s situation, would be a drainer to others. But Paul had an “Ah ha!” moment in his life (see next week’s post). We should follow Paul as he followed Christ. As you think like Paul did, you will be a lift to others with your actions as well as your words. So be it!
Acts 20:17-38 NIV
17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. 18 When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. 19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. 20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.
22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
25 “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. 26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God,[a] which he bought with his own blood.[b] 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
32 “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
36 When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. 37 They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. 38 What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
