Good Game

Now I know that many of us have watched pro or college football at some point in our lives. The funniest part of any game is to see grown men patting each other on the butt. Imagine if we went around church each sunday and started patting one another on the butt saying,"Good Game!" each time we heard about someone coming to Christ? Does encouragement in our faith have to be physical? Of course not. Words of encouragement go a long way, but seeing the fruits of God's grace at work through your faith in His power go even further.

In Romans (NIV), Paul was writing to the believers in Rome about his upcoming visit. In the first chapter of his letter, he expresses his longing to see the Roman believers and impart his spiritual gifts upon them. But verse 12 goes to the heart of encouragement in the church: "that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith." Paul not only wants to encourage believers, he longs to be encouraged by them through their work for Chist. The leaders in our churches know all about this. Their encouragement comes more from seeing non-believers come into a relationship with Christ, as well as seeing other believers out there growing theirs.

Try this on for size: We need to encourage God (thank Him especially) and our Christian mentors by telling them about what we are doing to further other's walks with Christ. Watch them get pumped up because they know that God is working through them. Give them a metaphorical "pat on the butt." They will give it right back.

Inspired by Brian Heckman and the CATB leadership,
Jesus Freak Out!