Do you believe you have something to give? A talent to share? Today, I want to encourage you to keep running the race, pouring out your life for the sake of the Gospel.
I️ wrote my first bible study years ago when I lived in Houston and attended @SBCHouston (Second Baptist). In short, my friend and mentor, Becky Henson, saw something in me. That is to say, she saw spiritual gifting that I did not even see. And to this day, I am incredibly grateful for her ability to speak life, not only in me but also in many, many others. As I read 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 today, I was reminded of the first bible study I ever penned, encouraged by my dear and precious Jesus-loving friend.
Keep Running the Race
Paul went to great lengths to share the Gospel with the ones he loved. Consequently, he commended himself to keep going…” by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger.” Man, it would’ve been so easy to give up and throw in the towel.
But he didn’t. For our benefit, he kept going. And look what the Holy Spirit accomplished as a result…” by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open.”
You Have a Story to Tell
Certainly, Paul never stopped pouring out his life, lavishly spilling it out to those around him. That is to say, he worked hard and patiently endured, giving up everything. Amid hardship, he kept pressing on. He laid it all out on the field. Transparent. Vulnerable. Let’s be THAT kind of person. A person who spills out Jesus to everyone who is in our midst and encourages others to keep going.
First, guided by the Holy Spirit.
Secondly, abundant in genuine love.
Thirdly, boldly speaking truthfully.
And finally, proclaiming the Gospel in deed and word.
Above all, I️ want to encourage you today to reach out to someone who has spurred you on to keep going. To keep trucking. Reminding you to keep your eyes fixed above. In other words, pay tribute to that special person who believed in you, possibly even when you gave up on yourself. Besides, I bet they don’t hear the simple words “thank you” often enough.
In closing, who is that person for you? How did they encourage you?