An Encouraging Word

Bill Pinches was invited to be chaplain for an Iron Man event in Tuscan last week.  He posted a photo of a mountain on Facebook and these words. "Heading up this mountain today.  Any words of encouragement are appreciated."  To some of us this time of year, just getting out of bed can be like climbing a mountain.  I had just received a Facebook message from my mentor, Tom Castlin, who reminded me that he includes me in his prayer cycle and that day was my day.  He concluded his brief message with this scripture, which I subsequently posted for Bill.  "Be astonished!  Be astounded! For a work is being done in your days that you would not believe if you were told." (Habakkuk 1:5)

"The mission of the Presbytery of Lake Michigan is to challenge, encourage and equip worshiping communities of faith to make disciples of Jesus Christ."  Consider this a word of encouragement.  Some days, weeks, months, years, are more challenging than others.  Discouragement comes particularly easy in February.  This harsh winter has sapped our energy and frustrated us with postponed meetings.  Discussing this with Dick Cushnie, the interim pastor at our congregation in Paw Paw this weekend, he confirmed, "a lethargy has set in."  It's hard to get anything done, let along build any momentum.

So where do you find encouragement?  Who encourages you?  What lifts your spirit?  Gets you out of bed? I think of the encouragers in my life.  A long list of them comes to mind and I am grateful.  Those from my childhood, youth, college years, time in Brazil, seminary, the congregations and presbyteries where I have served.  I would not be here without their impact on my life.  Mostly, they helped me broaden my perspective when I was mired in tough situation and could see only the dark cloud. "This too, shall pass," they would say. They helped me to see God at work in unexpected ways, and demonstrated unconditional love to me focusing on my strengths and loved me in spite of my weaknesses.

One of my favorite Biblical characters is Barnabas.  We are introduced to Barnabas in Acts 4:36.  His given name was Joseph, but "the Apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means "son of encouragement").  In the next verse we learn that Barnabas sold a field and brought the money to the Apostles.  He was the example given of those who sold their possessions to meet the needs so that "there was not a needy person among them." (4:34).  Later in Acts 15: 36-41 he advocates for John Mark, my Biblical name sake, standing up to Paul when Paul does not want to take John Mark on their second missionary journey.

The dictionary definition of the word encourage is "to give courage, confidence, to inspire with courage, spirit, or strength of mind, to help, to give support to."  The root of the word courage is "cor" Latin for "heart". Courage is "the response of facing and dealing with things recognized as dangerous, difficult, or painful instead of withdrawing from it, the quality of being fearless."

Disciples of Jesus are not immune from fear.  But we can and must face our fears to take steps toward our greater purpose, the call of God.  Jesus in preparing his disciples for the time when he would no longer walk by their side, promised them the comforter/advocate Holy Spirit, the "paraclete" in Greek (John 14:26).  That same Greek word is used for Barnabas, "son of "paraclete'").  The Holy Spirit emboldens our hearts, helps us face our fears and do what God is calling us to be and do.  AND it is our privilege and call to join the Holy Spirit in encouraging one another in love. 

The polar vortex is returning this week.  Still more snow is falling as I write.  As harsh and long as winter may be, it won't last forever.  Spring comes after winter as surely as dawn after the dark night.

 "Be astonished!  Be astounded! For a work is being done in your days that you would not believe if you were told." (Habakkuk 1:5)

Blessings,
John