Only As Long As Today Is Called Today

Happy Friday Friends!

I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day and a wonderful week coming to a close for you.

You all are going to get tired of me traveling with my job...flying 5 or so hours a week gives a guy a lot of time to read and think! I am reading a book titled "Leadership Secrets from the Bible: From Moses to Matthew - Management Lessons for Contemporary Leaders" by Lorin Woolfe. As I was flying to Portland on Wednesday I read the following; "In Hebrews 3:13, the early Christians are urged to 'encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today." The full text of Hebrews 3:13 (NIV) is "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called "Today," so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." My Spirit jumped as I read it. My eyes jumped back..."encourage one another daily" and then "as long as it is called Today." I looked up the full text using Mobile Gateway Bible and again my eyes jumped and I felt strongly compelled..."encourage one another daily"..."as long as it is called Today"..."none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."

I love Pastor Phil Tudor of New Life City Church in Safford, AZ. A big, bald (so good looking!) cowboy, he used to say, "what part of the bible do you believe?" You naturally want to say, "All of it!" however his wry smile let you know that you were gonna get drilled if you gave the "Sunday School" answer. He would then say, "You believe the parts you actually live." Ouch!

So here, taken from the greatest book (my opinion) ever written, is a very simple leadership principle: encourage one another daily. For how long? When? Oh, only as long as today is called Today. If you wake up tomorrow and it is not Today, don't worry about it, your off the hook! :)

But will I? Will you? A couple of weeks ago I wrote about four short, simple words: I - Believe - In - You. Telling someone these four short, simple words is certainly encouragement however that is not the only form of encouragement. Squeezing your wife's hand or holding her softly when you know she is stressed, concerned, worried, etc. is encouragement. Standing beside your husband, gently rubbing his back or arm...this is encouragement. Showing up at your son/daughters practice, game, recital, etc...this is encouragement. All of these, without ever even saying a word, is encouragement. It screams I love you, I am here for you, I am yours & you are mine, I believe in you...we are doing this together.

It is ironic isn't it; we all long for and crave encouragement (even if we don't want to admit it!) and yet we do not give it near as freely as we wish we could receive it. This is my challenge for all of us this week - yes, week. Not a day, not for a few days but rather for the entire week...as long as each day is called today that is!! Let's be intentional. Let's notice the other person - our spouses, our kids, our co-workers, the person you don't know however you can tell by the look in their eye, the body language that they just need some form of encouragement. It doesn't have to be some magical word or cute phrase; it just has to come from the heart. To let another tired, worn and weary soul, striving valiantly in this sinful, deceitful world that you recognize them, that you know they have value, meaning and purpose and whether through word or action encourage them to keep going. Let's commit to it for one week and see what happens...we just might in fact change the world.

Please let me know if there is anything I can do for any of you or you precious families.

Have a great day, a wonderful weekend and please cherish your precious families and friends.

Kev