Dear Friends,
For
many years, I have met with a close friend for breakfast. Every Wednesday morning
at 7:00, we check in with one another and learn how each of us is
doing. The meeting has now grown to three, and sometimes even four,
but the goal has always remained the same-encourage and lift each other up
and strive to make each other better.
It
is a wonderful thing when people recognize and commit to a plan of mutual
encouragement, with the goal of building each other up.
I
have often seen the benefits of this kind of mutual encouragement on the
athletic fields, and especially in the weight room. Lifters work in pairs,
aiding and supporting one another as each lifts the bar and struggles to
achieve a certain weight or a number of repetitions. As one lifts, the other is
shouting out words of encouragement- "Yes, you can do it," "just
one more," "great job". Each individual wants the best for the
other, and encouragement is one way to foster the end.
Mutual
encouragement can forge unbreakable friendships that produce remarkable
blessings and benefits to those involved.
C.S.
Lewis, the author of the Chronicles of Narnia series and J.R.Tolkien, who wrote
The Hobbit series, were both professors at Oxford University. They maintained a
close friendship throughout their careers. Every Thursday, they joined with
other writers who would meet together to have a drink, talk about their
fiction writing endeavors, and read passages of their yet unpublished
works.
It
was Tolkien who challenged and encouraged Lewis, an avowed atheist, to explore
Christianity, leading to his ultimate conversion. And it was Lewis who
encouraged Tolkien to continue writing fiction and to seek publication. Was it
not for their friendship and mutual encouragement, the world might not have
known some of the finest writing and apologetics in the 20th century or
enjoyed the finest fantasy work ever written Both encouraged each
other, and in doing so, the world was blessed?
The
Apostle Paul reminds us that we are "to encourage one another and build
others up, just as you are doing (1 Thess. 5:11). Paul knew that everyone
needs encouragement. It is oxygen to the soul. It keeps us alive and
growing, and we can't live very long without it. As one person said, it is
biodegradable- it has a short shelf life- so we need frequent doses of it.
If
you don't have a close mutual friendship with another brother or sister,
let me encourage you to work on building one. I promise you that you both will
be blessed, and who knows the impact you might have on the world
around you.
Yours
in faith and friendship,
Tom
Adapted from a previous Leadership Thought
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