THE GIFT OF OTHERS

"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25, NIV)

He was humbled. Beaten to a pulp. Completely defeated.

For several weeks I had been looking forward to this round of golf with a dear friend. It quickly became apparent I was on my game--only four over par after nine.

For my friend, things were not so pleasant. His normal draw had mysteriously become a wicked hook. A better-than-average putter was leaving them short and blowing them five feet past. If it had been match play, it would have been over at the twelfth--a fact I pointed out as we headed for the cars after the round.

A few weeks later, I called to see how things were going with his swing and with his life. After several minutes of conversation he told me the beating I had given him caused him to do something he had never done in his life. He signed up for some lessons.

He had golfed for most of his adult life and had never taken a lesson. Now, after being soundly defeated in a friendly match, he was being driven to his local professional for a makeover.

A question: Where did you go the last time life beat you to a pulp? The last time you were completely defeated and humbled? Where did you go the last time failure was your experience?

Simply put, at times like these we need someone besides ourselves. We need the community of believers. No, these folks are not "professionals" like the person my friend hired to fix his hook, but they are gifts to us from our heavenly Father.

At times of failure, we are prone to keep to ourselves. What we need is a beloved brother or sister from the community of faith--someone who will hear our confession, someone to pray with, someone to cry with. A friend with the gift of encouraging others. Someone who can fix our hook!

This is why church is not optional. The New Testament knows nothing of popular personal spirituality. An important part of Christian spirituality is participating in the community of faith, the body of Christ. Because life beats us up, because we fail, because we get defeated, we need one another--desperately.

Notice from today's verse in Hebrews that our need for one another grows as the time of Christ's return draws nearer. As the days grow darker, as the culture drifts further from truth, our need for others intensifies. Fellowship is not optional, especially in these days.

If you know someone who is keeping to themselves, call them in Christ’s name. Get together with them and speak words of encouragement. Remind them of God's love. Incarnate His grace.

--

Brad Davis

June 27, 2006

Copyright 2006 Links Players International

The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.