Those were
simple words Jesus uttered at the end of the Gospel of Matthew, “I will be with
you, even to the end of the age.” (28:20) What they followed was anything but
simple. Make all the peoples of the world my disciples. Mark them as my
disciples through baptism in my name. Teach them to be obedient to all that I have
taught you. Transform the world into an earthly version of my Father’s Kingdom.
Those disciples needed to hear those final words of encouragement.
There is
power in encouragement. A teacher in a room of first graders can see success as
much if not more through the encouragement given as in the number of new words spelled
correctly. A four year degree is often attained more through the encouragement of
professors as from tests passed. A new job is sought and acquired often more
from the encouragement from friends and coworkers as from a dressed up resume
and application. Encouragement can make the difference between looking at the mountain
and climbing it.
Gary Chapman
has a series of books entitled The Five
Love Languages. The core idea is that there are five primary ways
individuals show love and are able to accept love. This is between spouses, generations,
and even with God. According to his guidance one of my key languages is the
language of affirmation. I understand love that is shown through words of
encouragement and approval. Save your gifts for someone else. Tell me that I
can get the job done with just a little more effort.
Are some
people around you discouraged? Encourage them. It doesn’t cost much, if
anything. You can be straight forward or you can get creative. It makes no
difference who you are. You can encourage someone else. While leading a Bible
study with a group of senior adults, I remind them on a regular basis they can
encourage another person with only a smile or positive word. It’s a skill they
never lose due to age.
The world
around us is programmed to depress us. News accounts begin with the most
negative stories, paper and digital. Conversations turn to the negative quickly.
Julia Roberts in “Pretty Woman” says something to the effect that people speak
in negative terms about others because bad things are easier to remember. No
statistics are in my hands to prove it, but it seems that we spend more time
talking about how bad things are than emphasizing the good.
There is
power in encouragement even when you don’t like what’s going on around you. Why
can I be so positive about this? I know who wrote the Book. I know how the last
chapter ends. I know that from the beginning of human conscience, we have tried
to do things our way and live a life of one-up-man-ship with the people around
us. That creates a negative world. Only when we decide to serve instead of
dominate do we allow the positive to rise to the surface.
Choosing to
encourage others instead of demanding personal attention creates that welcome
positive note. It says someone cares about others before self. It says that someone
is willing to bring a little light into someone else’s life. The recipient
receives an emotional vitamin. They receive a new perspective on life in general
and on themselves in particular. When people are encouraged, they receive hope.
Encouragement
comes in many forms. Smiles are cheap as are words of affirmation. Cards and
letters don’t cost much and the unexpected email costs no more than that smile.
Most often the only cost to us when we encourage someone else is to invest a
little time. We only need to remember and be intentional that today we will
encourage someone and be a little less negative. A miracle in someone's life may just be the
result.
