"Surround yourself with good people who encourage and love you. There are always ups and downs no matter how successful you are."—Liana Liberato, American Actress
I LOVE THE OLYMPICS! The Games represent the epitome of athletic excellence, camaraderie, and celebration. Despite what might be going on in the world politically and environmentally, these elite competitors, and those who train and support them, remind us of the goodness in humanity across cultures. There are too many wonderful moments to name. Michael Phelps, the most decorated swimmer of all time raised the arm of new sensation Leon Marchand of France, his mentee. Marchand had just eclipsed Phelps' world record. The two even share the same coach, Bob Bowman. Phelps wasn't salty or bitter; he celebrated and encouraged the young talent to go forward and do more.
Simone Biles, the greatest US gymnast of all time, could win an award for encouragement. When her teammate, Jordan Childs was shunned by some in their sport and didn't make the national team, Biles took her under her wing. She brought Childs in to live and train with her in Texas. With Biles' expertise and encouragement, Childs' strength, fortitude, and mastery increased. She made this year's Gold Medal gymnastics team and received her first individual medal, a bronze in the floor exercise. Then they paid the encouragement forward. Biles and Childs bowed in honor and celebration of Rebecca Andrade, Brazil's top gymnast as she won her country's first Gold Medal by scoring higher than both of them in the floor exercise. It was the first time an olympic podium in gymnastics was filled with Black women—competitors, yet friends. They had each come through trial. Biles was orphaned by her parents and taken in by her grandparents. Andrade rose out of the slums of Brazil. She walked hours daily just to train. Growing up in church they used to say, "I don't look like what I've been through." These women reminded me of the Hebrew Boys coming out of Nebuchadnezzar's fiery furnace without even the smell of smoke upon them. That's what ENCOURAGEMENT does. Haven't we all had enough discouragement?!
ENCOURAGE means to give support. confidence, or hope to someone; to give support and advice to someone so they will do or continue to do something; to help or stimulate (an activity, state, or view) to develop. The French in in+courage—courage is the ability to do something that frightens one; or strength in the face of pain or grief.
In 1 Samuel 30, Israel was in Ziglag under threat of siege from the Amalekites. They had taken their wives and children captive. King David and the men wept in anguish, "And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God." (vs.6) There are times when we've lost heart and there's no one to go to but God. However, more often, the community of Believers is meant to come alongside us. The writer of Hebrews says that encouragement from both the LORD and one another is what we need in these last and evil days.
"19And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. 20By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place.
21And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, 22let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.
23Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near." (Hebrews 10:19-25)
WHO CAN YOU ENCOURAGE TODAY? | 
No comments:
Post a Comment