Encouragement
// April 16th, 2009 // No Comments » // Hope Center Blog
II Timothy 4:13 “When I was in Troas , I left my coat there with Carpus. so when you come, bring it to me. Also, bring my books, particularly the ones on parchment”
This is Paul’s final correspondence to his spiritual Son, Timothy. He wrote to encourage Timothy. Though Paul is in prison, he did not forget his mission, his purpose. In his letter to Timothy, Paul reflected on some of his hair raising experiences of being shipwrecked a night and of floating in the ocean in perils of water, robbers and my own countrymen, beaten, hungry, betrayed and concludes by saying, “Who is afraid? Not me. I glory in it.” Paul made a request of Timothy that could have been puzzling. One would think a man in jail would ask for a good lawyer. Instead he asked for a book, paper and a coat. He only asked for what he needed. Paul knew who he was in life. He knew where he was in life and he knew why he was there. He knew he had fulfilled his purpose in life and his purpose was to please God. “Bring the cloak that I left with Corpus at Toas when you come and the books, especially the parchments.(2 Tim. 4:13) Paul asked for the 3 things we all need to finish our purpose. A coat — Paul was in his later years. His life would soon be over. A coat . Something warm, to be protected from the cold winds of winter. A place of warmth in a cold world. We all need a place in our lives to find comfort in times of adversity and loss.
We need that place where we can relax and breathe in and out. A place to be rested, recharged, revived. It is that warm place in your life that will carry you through the dark nights of your life. Many of God’s people don’t have anyone to bring them a warm coat. There is no one around them who can discern their need of fellowship or of a kind word of encouragement. Even our Savior, knowing He was in the perfect will of the Father, cried out from the cross. Even those in the will of God have need from time to time for someone to bring an offering of encouragement to them. Paul asked for a coat. Jesus asked for a drink. Everyone needs someone who can encourage them in times of doubt and despair. Our churches should be filled with those who watch and pray and are aware of the struggles and seasons of change any brother or sister is going through. Those who have been wounded and wearied from their battles in life.
We are commanded to encourage one another. We all need encouragement because is causes us to hope in Christ in spite of life’s circumstances. The writer of Hebrews admonishes us with these words, “But encourage one another daily.” We should take advantage of every opportunity we have because the need is great. There seems to be a myth that says being a Christian is easy. When you become a Christian your life will always be filled with joy. Things will always go smooth. Your suffering will end, your kids will turn our great. You will land the big job. You will be blessed materially and you will drive a BMW. That’s not always true. Some Christians drive a Ford Focus. Some don’t have a car. Lots of Christians are struggling to get by, health problems, financial problems, kid problems.
The Bible says that it rains on the just and the unjust. There are times when our faith in God seems like it is hanging on by a thread. That’s when we need someone to walk along side us and listen without judging. That’s when we need someone to gently remind us that God is still God and in His presence is hope and help and healing. All around us are people who need encouragement. Some of them work very hard for the cause of Christ. Some serve behind the scenes and are rarely noticed. They pray for others, send cards,serve on committees. They teach and take food boxes to the less fortunate. The unsung heroes who need our encouragement.
Recently, I heard a touching story which illustrates the power that words have to change a life–a power that lies right in the hands of those reading this article. Mary had grown up knowing that she was different from other kids, and she hated it. She was born with a cleft palate and had to bear the jokes and stares of cruel children who teased her non-stop about her misshaped lip, crooked nose and garbled speech. With all the teasing, Mary grew up hating the fact that she was “different.” She was convinced that no one, outside her family, could ever love her—until she entered Mrs. Leonard’s class. Mrs. Leonard had a warm smile, a round face and shiny brown hair. While everyone in her class liked her, Mary came to love Mrs. Leonard.
In the 1950’s, it was common for teachers to give their children an annual hearing test. However, in Mary’s case, in addition to her cleft palate, she was barely able to hear out of one ear. Determined not to let the other children have another “difference” to point out, she would cheat on the hearing test each year. The “whisper test” was given by having a child walk to the classroom door, turn sideways, close one ear with a finger and then repeat something which the teacher whispered. Mary turned her bad ear toward her teacher and pretended to cover her good ear. She knew that teachers would often say things like “The sky is blue” or “What color are your shoes?” but not on that day. Surely, God put 7 words in Mrs. Leonard’s mouth that changed Mary’s life forever. When the “whisper test” came, Mary heard the words “I wish you were my little girl.” Or the story of a 5 year old boy who said to his Dad, “Let’s play darts. I’ll throw and you say, “Good job.” Someone you know needs your encouragement. Take a few minutes and write a note or make a call. Hebrews 3 says “ We are to encourage one another without delay” because delay can be deadly for the person who needs it, in danger of hardening their hearts with doubt and fear. Encourage without delay!
