The writer of Hebrews sent this letter to people who wanted to quit. They started their journey as believers filled with hope and a willingness to give up everything in order to follow Jesus. They pooled their resources and gladly gave whatever they could to meet the needs of each member of their “church family”. But the fires of persecution were heating up. Finding a job was almost impossible because they were shunned by their Jewish community. Some had already gone back to their previous lives, because living as Jesus’ followers required too much.
I imagine them eagerly gathering to hear the encouraging words of this letter. After reminding them that God had kept the promise of sending the Redeemer, that He had sent His own Son, Jesus, the writer outlines a practical response to this great truth.
He encourages them that the place to be when life falls apart is with one another. It’s in community that God keeps many of His promises. Often hurting people run from the church, either in shame, or in concluding that faith doesn’t work when life gets messy. Yet it’s in community, in relationships with others, that God keeps many of His promises to encourage and equip us for our daily lives. Growing up as a child of God takes time. We need cheerleaders who encourage us to “keep on keeping on”, and others will need us to cheer them on. The hunger for perfect unity where no division or conflicts exist, won’t be satisfied here. Yet, if we stay the course with our small group, committed to growing in Jesus, we will get glimpses of what perfect unity in Jesus will be when we all arrive Home.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
In this dog eat dog world, we need one another to create a community that greets us with compassion and that accepts us for who we are. That offers us a safe place to learn, a place where we can see God’s love and forgiveness, a place where we are strengthened and encouraged to face another week. Don’t cheat yourself by avoiding covenant community. Intentionally seek out a small group of Christians and commit to doing life with them.
STORE UP MORE TREASURES
At some point in our lives, we or someone we know will go through great suffering. I encourage you to go to the MARKINC website and listen to the interview "Doing Life with Your Adult Children" so that you can store up treasures of encouragement for the next rainy day in your life or someone else's. Here is a summary of this resource:
Almost 40% of young adults live with their parents or grandparents. This is the highest percentage in 70 years. The last time young adults did life in such proximity to their parents or grandparents was just before the Depression. Then it was out of financial need. Today it seems there is a whole different perspective on the part of the young adults. Dr. Chuck Betters talks to Jim Burns, author of Doing Life with Your Adult Children about some of the challenges for parents as they transition from parenting children to parenting young adults. Jim gives practical advice and hopeful encouragement for this tough yet rewarding transition.
If you have an adult child, you know that parenting doesn't stop when a child reaches the age of eighteen. In many ways, it gets more complicated. Both your heart and your head are as involved as ever, whether your child lives under your roof or rarely stays in contact.