Max Lucado, in Facing Your Giants writes of his encounter with a race and the people he rubbed shoulders with…“I discovered the importance of healthy counsel in a half-Ironman triathlon. After the 1.2 mile swim and the 56 mile bike ride, I didn't have much energy left for the 13.1 mile run. Neither did the fellow jogging next to me. I asked him how he was doing and soon regretted posing the question. "This stinks. This race is the dumbest decision I've ever made." He had more complaints than a taxpayer at the IRS. My response to him? "Goodbye." I know if I listened too long, I'd start agreeing with him. I caught up with a 66-year-old grandmother. Her tone was just the opposite. "You'll finish this," she encouraged. "It's hot, but at least it's not raining. One step at a time…don't forget to hydrate…stay in there." I ran next to her until my heart was lifted and my legs were aching. I finally had to slow down. "No problem." She waved and kept going. Which of these two describes the counsel you seek?”
You know it is no secret that we will soon become like the company we keep. It is also no hidden thought that the Christ follower is to be lifting up the people around them, not serving as a weight to pull them down.
The Bible lets us know that we are to “…encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:13 New American Standard Version)
We need to always ask ourselves, “Are my words building others up or pulling them down?”
May this be a week filled with the glory of the Living Lord!
Mike
