Seed of Need

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

I heard the saddest thing the other day. I forwarded a post of Truth in the Morning to a family I know via email. I had been hearing how life was stressed with long work hours, home remodeling projects and meeting extended family needs. Been there, done that…so I thought a little encouraging word from the Lord might be helpful. I told them, as I tell everyone, if you like, I can add you to the mailing list. They wrote back that they enjoyed the post but didn’t have time for daily encouragement with all the demands on their time. How sad is that?!

I know them to be people of faith and it was obvious they were struggling with many issues. Aren’t we all? My issues are probably different from yours but we all have some areas on our lives that weigh on us. God knows every issue we deal with and instructs us, through His word, to encourage one another, to stir one another up to love, and to build one another up. Chances are, if they don’t have time for encouragement, they aren’t making time for seeking God either.

 
Friends, as members of Christ’s family, we need to ask our Brothers and Sisters how they are doing spiritually. It is too easy to get so caught in the things of day-to-day life that we forget to take our own spiritual temperatures. A haggard look may indicate a health issue or lack of sleep but it may also reflect a spiritual life that is being neglected. Expect an awkward moment, maybe even a defensive attitude, but love your family in Christ enough to encourage and inquire. Chances are you may plant a ‘seed of need’ they had not even considered.