I’ve heard actors say, “there is nothing like the sound of applause, that’s what we live for.” As a ‘former’ musician I can relate to those feelings of adulation. In fact, there’s only a small step to the ‘rush’ we can feel when we ‘perform’ as ministers each Sunday. The excitement of sharing God’s Word with a captivated audience, or should that read captive? When it goes well, there’s nothing like standing at the door shaking hands and hearing, ‘Good Word, Pastor’. But let’s be honest, our audience is fickle, and the compliments are temporary. We are certainly on dangerous ground if this becomes our measure of value or accomplishment. We all crave and need acceptance and validation to strengthen us as we walk through the challenges of life, but is there a more reliable source?
Most people don’t have the privilege to stand on a platform and receive the applause of an audience. But that doesn’t stop us from looking for a stage and an audience for which we can perform. It may be the office, the factory floor, or the tennis club. We dress to impress, give an extra hour, or make that clever comment in the hope that someone will show their appreciation. For many, social media has become our platform. We post desperate for ‘likes’ to validate the life we lead and the choices we make. But the audience is again fickle and self-seeking, it hasn’t got our best interests at heart. So, when we’re not noticed, the applause stops and the ‘likes’ fade, where do we find the affirmation we need?
We need community
We need friends. We need community. Yes, I know you’re saying we need the affirmation of our heavenly Father, but we also need each other. Those who celebrate our success but stand with us when we fall. Those who love us enough to lay aside personal agendas to give word in season. To assist so we can score our goal. To cheer from the side-lines so we can have our moment. The truth is we all need encouragement, but we don’t need flattery. ‘Encourage one another and build each other up’ (1 Thessalonians 5:11) the Bible teaches but warns us not to be deceived by ‘smooth talk and flattery’ (Romans 16:18). True encouragement is rooted in love, truth and focussed on building each other up. Flattery is self-centred, manipulates and rooted in witchcraft! We must be cautious and take responsibility for our words. We have the power to speak life or death (Proverbs 18:2). We all need to be affirmed and built up, but we don’t need a platform. Instead, behind closed doors, let’s invest in ‘real’ friends. Let’s build a community where reliable and trustworthy relationships are strong enough to withstand frank but gracious conversation.
Is encouragement a lost art?
Everyone knows that life is tough right now. Many of the problems we are unable to fix, but we can become encouragers. We can love and faithfully walk with others, build friendships and resilient communities. A verse that has often been used to press on people the importance of regularly attending Sunday Church, is more about the purpose of meeting and our interdependence. It’s not about a time and place but the priority and benefits of meeting regularly to build a healthy community. To me, this is a church. Followers of Jesus committed to comforting, strengthening, and encouraging each other: ‘let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another’ (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Let’s be honest, we need each other. Through the cross, Jesus didn’t only reconcile us to our heavenly Father, He reconciled us to each other. He created a diverse body of people who are called to love and depend on each other. The world is not our stage, let’s not live for the applause of people. Let’s be and find loyal friends to encourage us through life. Let’s commit to building a community that spurs one another on.
Featured photo by Anthony DELANOIX on Unsplash
"Live to Serve" 