Encourage One Another

At almost every graveside or memorial serve I’ve officiated; I spend a few minutes giving my thoughts about “What do I do now?” I want people to consider what they should do as they walk away. THOUGHT NUMBER ONE - DEATH IS THE DESTINY OF EVERY PERSON. WE WILL ALL FACE DEATH. THOUGHT NUMBER TWO - LIVE AS IF TODAY IS YOUR LAST DAY ON EARTH. THOUGHT NUMBER THREE - ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER AS IF YOU’LL NEVER BE ABLE TO ENCOURAGE THEM AGAIN. Encourage one another. The English word encourage comes from a French compound in-courage. When you encourage someone, you are literally putting courage into them. You are speaking courage into their lives. What if your words that “in-courage” make the difference between healthy choices or destructive choices? What if your “in-courage-ment” gives someone strength to face a seemingly insurmountable challenge? The world is a discouraging place. It takes courage to live healthy, balanced, flourishing lives. As you know, it’s difficult to muster from inside oneself the courage needed to face life’s challenges. Jesus told the religious leaders they would be responsible for their words. “I tell you that on the Judgment Day people will be responsible for every careless thing they have said.” Matthew 12:36 (NCV) The Apostle Paul gave similar instructions. “When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need--words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you.” Ephesians 4:29 (NCV) I love the wording of the New Century Version “say what people need—words that will help others become stronger.” Paul is writing about “in-courage-ing” words. Words that “will help others become stronger.” “In-courage” people today. You might not get the chance tomorrow. Tomorrow might not come for them. Tomorrow might not come for you. “In-courage” today while you have the chance to “in-courage” and they have the chance to hear your “in-courage-ment.”