As a new husband, I am discovering the joy of putting effort into how I love my wife. There are some things that mean a lot to her, and others that don’t. Bringing her flowers might be special on occasion, whereas washing dishes and folding laundry might blow her socks off. I learn more as I try different things, ask questions, and observe responses. I spend more than just a couple hours with her each week, and I consider how to love her.
There are so many possibilities for growth in our Christian faith and witness when we regularly gather together to pray, worship, teach, serve, and encourage.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to put effort into how we love each other. Here’s what the author of Hebrews tells us in 10:24-25: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” God asks us to consider how to love each other. He has blessings in store for those who take seriously the command to meet together for mutual encouragement. But we’re not called to a vague or general encouragement; we’re called to be creative and thoughtful. Everyone is different, and there are specific ways each of us needs to be “stirred up” in order to grow. We can’t live the Christian life alone, we need each other. God designed it that way.
There are so many possibilities for growth in our Christian faith and witness when we regularly gather together to pray, worship, teach, serve, and encourage. What would it look like if we as a church began to explore those possibilities? The first step is simple: don’t neglect meeting together. Some people are under the impression that anything on top of weekly Sunday attendance is just optional, and not necessary to their faith. We must crush this notion and believe God when he says that it’s vital to be more intimately involved in each other’s lives. Then, once we’re together, we need to be intentional and invested. I believe that when we practice these things, people will be blessed, both inside and outside of the church, and God will be glorified. I urge you to consider how to love and encourage someone else this week. Don’t just think and pray; act!