Kingdom Encouragement

 I have said many times to friends in fun, "It's not about you...it's about Him!" It isn't easy but it is so true. The world we live in bombards us daily with self-gratifying messages-You deserve it, Go for it, You're #1, Nothing else matters,  It's all about you, Whatever it takes, and so on and so on...
Today in our Bible Study we talked about this...getting past ourselves and into the lives of others-encouraging others. As a young Mommy, with 4 little ones, a husband, a pup and a cat...it's not easy finding the extra time or energy to share deeply into the lives of others. However, am I to live in my own little 3,000sq ft bubble for the next 18 years?!? No. We have become so preoccupied with ourselves that our time and energy reflect busy lives of to-do's and we become very self-centered. It should be family-first, however, when was the last time you took time out of your day or your week to encourage someone? More than just a passing "high 5" or a "Good to see ya" in the hallways or out front with the neighbor...but truly taking the time and effort to encourage and lift up another in your life?
Like anything, there is blessing when we devote ourselves to a relationship with our spouse, our children, our co-workers, our friends, our community...our God, because they grow us in countless ways. Beautiful relationships are not bought or borrowed. They are a product of love, nurturing and growth. Anything that involves growth, takes time, planning and commitment. Like a plant, you don't buy the seed packet at the garden store, take it home and lay it on the ground where you imagine it would one day grow! It must be cared for, and that takes work. No, that is not laborous work, just effort, a commitment to care for.
Imagine your relationship with your spouse, children, friends, if you never took the time and effort to express love for one another, have open communication, enjoying and living life together, sharing your plans and dreams, your hurts and fears, and really caring for one another. You would simply be two people co-existing in the same place. You would be two seeds tossed on the ground side by side. But imagine if someone came along and picked you up, found a special place in their life for you and tenderly set you in. You are in nurtured soil where you can dig your roots in and grow. You have been encouraged to be a better, more beautiful you in this nurturing environment.
God can do this. He is your caregiver if you allow Him, He has others working on His behalf to be His hands and feet here on earth. He brings other relationships within our family, within our circle of friends, our neighbors, our church body that encourage us to grow. 
How long has it been since you took the time to stop and evaluate the relationships around you? Are they healthy? Are they all about you? Are they all about them? Do you nurture each other? Are they growing you or hindering you? Proverbs 27:17, Iron sharpens iron.
When I take inventory about the people in my life, I see such a vast scope of how we are connected. To some, we are close because of shared history, we have know one another for years and share life stories with eachother as we grow old together. While others share common interest with the kids. Still, others have mentored me in my marriage and in parenting as I flow from one season to the next as they have already walked the season ahead of me. In some, I am the mentor to the younger. A large many are simply acquaintances either because we know one another from a corporate group, neighbors, or maybe a friend of a friend.
Then there are the dear friends, ones you share those tears with, run errands with, take off the mask of who you want everyone else to think you are-but not them. We can tell them when we are angry, scared, hurt and sometimes, they may even see it before you do and they love you enough to call you out on it. They share our joys, successes and celebrate the smallest accomplishment to the biggest achievement! What an incredible blessing to have these kind of friends in your life. For me, they are an answered prayer after years of praying that God would grant me the privilege to have a close few that would sharpen me to be the person God created me to be. 
Are you that kind of friend to another? Is there commitment in your heart to put forth the time and effort to be that kind of friend? Yes, it takes time out of our week and space in our heart, but isn't it a priceless cost? It's really in investment into the Kingdom's economy. God may cross two people's paths but it's up to them to embrace it and allow God to enter in-putting His principles into place to make it grow to be a beautiful reflection of who He is which is loving, forgiving, accepting, caring, kind, compassionate...and fun! What a joy to share life and love in the name of Jesus!
As we talked about this morning, we need to get out of ourselves and invest in God's kingdom by encouraging those around us more often (those we know and those we don't). When we bless, we are blessed! Some of us have been stuck in a pity party and everyone is invited! How often we take for granted the richness around us. How long has it been since you looked your spouse or your child in the eye and said "I Love You and I am committed to loving and cherishing you with all my heart!" How about a friend, "I appreciate you and I am thankful for the gift you are in my life!" This takes effort! This involves setting yourself down and focusing on the needs outside of yourself. Oh, how we love to have those pity parties!
This is not to say that we are going to have a bad day, because we are, and that is okay. But we cannot get stuck there and settle there. God created us to be a community, to live a life of joy and love with those around us. His second greatest command is Love one another!! It's not all about YOU!
I will share with you the challenge I gave: This week, will you take an intentional moment and step into the life of another and bless them? This can be a letter of appreciation to someone in your life...family, friend, co-worker, community leaders, maybe your kid's teachers, etc. Maybe a note, letter, gift, email to a friend-encouraging them in their walk with the Lord, their day. Maybe you know someone facing a trial and is in desperate need of hope and a tangible gift of love. Sometimes, you may encourage someone who you'd have no clue what they were dealing with in their life, but God was using you to be a grace gift in that moment. So often it has happened to me when my heart is shattered on the inside and someone comes along unknowing, and blesses my heart, bring me back to hope and joy. Be intentional to reach out and bless.

"let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:22-25 NIV

Here's how you start: 
Step one is PRAY! Offer thanksgiving for all those God has placed in your life. 
Step Two: Ask. Ask God to show you who He wants you to love on this week (and yes, it can be more than one person!!) 
Step Three: Seek-we are all so different in how we relate to others so do what fits your personality and meet the need God has shown you. 
Step Four: Act! Keep it simple and make the commitment just to encourage SOME ONE!
In doing this, you are sharing Christ. You are loving one another with the same love Christ Jesus loves you! He is committed to you. He adores you and He knows you historically, practically, intimately and extravagantly! It's not about you...it's about Him!! May sharing this gift not be a one time thing, but a way of life, to love one another in the sweet name of Jesus!