Living in the Present
"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching."1
Many of us spend a lot of energy in the present thinking about the past and the future. We know the past is out of our control, but it worries us. We tend to believe that the future belongs to us, but we worry about what it holds and whether it will bring joy or pain.
The gospel invites us to entrust both the past and the future to God. That mindset frees us to live for the Lord in the only time we can: the present. Yes, its fullness is an aspect of God's kingdom that has not yet arrived, but at the same time, we live in his Kingdom here and now.
Hebrews 3:13 says, "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today”, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness."
The call to encourage one another each day is not a suggestion: it is a vital practice for spiritual growth. We need the support of brothers and sisters in the faith to help us successfully overcome the challenges and opportunities of each day. Cheering one another on can be a beacon of light and hope for those around us.
That's the author's approach in Hebrews 3:13. If we want to keep our hearts from being hardened by the deceitfulness of sin, we must give and receive encouragement. It is good to say words of affirmation, hope, and responsibility about our Christian life and that of others on a regular basis. And even when those words of encouragement are given just once, they can have a lasting effect, far beyond the present.
Suggested Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, I want to thank you for the people who have been supportive in my spiritual growth. Thank you for every single person who has inspired me to grow closer to you. I pray that just as others have been supportive of me, I too can support and encourage other brothers and sisters in the faith so that our relationship with you will become ever closer. I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
1. Hebrews 10:23-25 (NIV).
Today's Encounter was written by: Rosina N.
All articles on this website are written by
Richard (Dick) Innes unless otherwise stated.