As Long As It Is Called Today

     I know some people that have the gift of encouragement.  Like, no matter what they can lift someone's spirit and keep them moving in the right direction.  You probably know people like that as well.  You may even be one of those people.

     I've never really thought of myself as one of those people.  If you know me, or have read a previous blog or post of mine, you know that one, I was in the Marine Corps, and two, have walked through some tough stuff in life.  I'll admit I was pretty hard hearted after getting out of the Marines and hurt some people.  Fortunately, God has given me a lot of opportunities to have conversations with some of them and make things right.

     Still, even though I recognized this about myself my motivational skills looked more Drill Instructor and less like Mother Theresa.  I had a lot of work to do, or should I say God had some work to do in me.

     Hebrews 3:13 says,

     "But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." (ESV)

    The writer of Hebrews is telling us to encourage those around us daily.  For how long?  As long as today is still called today.  This sometimes requires me to remove myself (or usually my emotions) to focus on those around me.  This could be my family, my church staff, my team, the kids I coach in baseball, or just someone having a tough day at the restaurant I'm at.  More importantly, I think it requires us (me) to be on a journey of heart restoration and recovery.

     In Psalms 139, we find David having an honest conversation with God.  It starts out with a declaration to how well God knows him and is with him.  I find this incredibly comforting that God knows me in this same way.  David then goes a step further and in verses 23 and 24 says,

     Search me, O God, and know my heart!  Try me and know my thoughts!  And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the everlasting!"

     David knew that God knew him and knew him well but then turned around and submitted himself to God.  Search my heart, my very being, and see if there's anything there that is not leading me to You, O God, and then I'll give that to You so that You can lead me in Your ways.

     I've been on this very journey for some time.  I'm far from perfect, nor do I have it all together but I know I'm not the man I once was.  Introspection is difficult.  We either see ourselves too favorably or we're too hard on ourselves.  I've spent some time with this idea of me as an encourager.  I still don't always get it right but through the work God is doing in me and now through me I may just be that yet.

     What about you?  How's your heart?  In what ways can you encourage and share God's goodness with those around you?  I want to invite you on this journey.  Submit yourself (your heart) to God and then allow Him to draw things out, heal you, and then use you for His glory.

     No matter when you read this, it's still TODAY.  It's not too late!

Photo by sydney Rae on Unsplash