This last Tuesday I held my first staff meeting in over a year. Not being a big fan of meetings myself, I wasn’t entirely sure if my staff would welcome this return to “normalcy”. Four of my people were there in person, and three were joining us by phone. It turned out to be quite an experience.
I start each meeting by asking those who are comfortable to share something they have learned since the last meeting. Well, after more than a year without a meeting there was much to be learned from some of the staff. None was more touching or important than what one of them shared: “I realized this morning that I am the happiest I have ever been in my life.” So, some eyes kind of got moist, there were numerous “Awwwsss” and everyone felt better for having attended this meeting (admittedly my meeting went downhill from there, that was a tough act to follow.)
1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.”
I find it so interesting that everyone who heard that simple statement experienced the same thing, and then did similar things… we were all lifted, encouraged, and we all then encouraged this person to hold dearly to those that are bringing her such joy. Nobody felt the need to point out any reasons why this person should not be so joyous.
Encouragement in fact was followed by more encouragement, even for the encourager.
Funny how such a simple and yet transparent sharing of life could yield such a wonderful result.
If you’re anything like me, I Thess. 5:11 is a verse I need to be much more conscious of and strive much more to live out every day. I need God’s help to remember that much is lost when I am critical of others and miss the opportunity to build up rather than tear down. Amazingly, God has not only created us to be encouragers, but to be built up ourselves when we do encourage others.
Praise Him!