In each of the countries I have lived, I have heard many greetings. Often, it’s a question with little expectation of an answer.
How’s it going?
Have you eaten?
Did you sleep well?
What if we added another question to our greetings?
What’s encouraged you lately?
At those times when words of complaint or worry or hurt are right there on the tip of my tongue, what if you asked me this question? And then, I asked you?
If you asked me today, I would tell you of two men who I have never met but whose lives have encouraged (and convicted) me.
Sinclair Ferguson is a well-known speaker and the author of 50 books. He has spoken at most Reformed conventions in the US and taught at many seminaries.
He recently retired but isn’t going on a lucrative speaking tour or being the guest speaker on a cruise. He’s returned home to Scotland and is the teaching pastor in a 200- member church in a small town. Church attendance has drastically declined there and it’s where he wants to be.
Jim Elliot’s life and death as a global worker in the Amazon is known to many through the writings of his wife Elizabeth Elliot. He was on the cover of LIFE magazine. But have you heard of his brother Bert? He and his wife established a jungle ministry in Peru, where for 62 years they offered basic medical care while building a church and a school.
My purpose in sharing this is not to laud one and demean another. Only to share how the story of two believers’ lives encouraged me. Turned my eyes and thoughts away from myself. Reminded me of how our choices are a witness to the world of Who we follow. Thought of the great crowd of witnesses in Hebrews. If you’d been the inquirer, you could have been uplifted too! Paul tells us to dwell on what is right, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Wouldn’t a recent act, note, word, or story that included even one of these be encouraging to share today?
So…what encouraged you recently?
I have been sending cards and pictures to an elderly friend in another state. I really have no way of knowing if she really enjoys them. She did in the beginning but it’s been a while. Yesterday a friend called about other matters and mentioned that our mutual friend had called her and gone on and on about how much she has liked getting mail. A small thing but it made me happy to know and spurred on to be more faithful. And you?
What encourages you? The question can just be a rote exercise but I find making a point to actively ask others can be so uplifting. It can be so short. Both of these men’s stories were longer and I’ve included the link to an interview with Ferguson. But if someone had just shared the basics with me, I would been encouraged!