Last week, while out on my normal run, I encountered the usual faces, acknowledging them with a nod and smile or a quick wave, as is my conventional response. However, it occurred to me, on that particular day, that the same gesture of encouragement typically occurs between anyone I encounter while exercising, not merely those I know personally or see regularly. Whether I cross paths with someone running a seemingly Olympic record-setting pace or someone barely putting one foot in front of the other, typically there is an unspoken camaraderie between those “pounding the pavement” that produces an urge to give a word or gesture of encouragement.
The apostle Paul spoke about this desire to encouragement and strengthen, face to face, when he wrote to the church in Rome,
“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” (Romans 1:8-12)
This upcoming week is a particularly exciting time, as 240 students and adults from McLean Bible Church, my home for the past eight years prior to launching Empowering Action in January with Andy Manfredi, will be arriving in the Dominican Republic for their annual trip. And while I know first hand that throughout the year MBC’s ministry partners in the Dominican Republic and around the globe are routinely lifted up in prayer by the student ministry, there is an excitement the begins to build in both locations as the trip dates approach. Historically, the week has been used of the Lord to be mutually encouraging and beneficial to all involved, and we pray this year will be no different, with many coming to salvation, many strengthened in their walk with the Lord, and our Dominican ministry partners encouraged to “run with endurance the race that is set before them.” (Hebrews 12:1)
