To Encourage and Uplift

There is in the Bible a little verse that I wish everyone in the whole wide world would take literally.  It is found in I Thessalonians 5:11.  “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up.”  If we believe in the greatness of human potential then we must nourish the divine seed in every person, regardless of age, sex, race, cultural or educational background.  This task belongs to all of us, whatever our profession, vocation, or status in society.  This is the work that we all must be about “while it is day.”   

My heart fills with gratitude as I remember this morning all those who have uplifted and encouraged me along the way.  Where would I be, what would I be, who would I be today if it were not for Miss Beatrice Smith?  (my Sunday school teacher). Mrs. Constable?  (my third grade teacher).  Professor Louis McChord and Carl Tideman?  N. Gordon Cosby? And so many others who were there for me? These uplifters and encouragers called forth my gifts and potential which would have remained buried had they not come along.  

To encourage is to give support, confidence or hope to someone.  Synonyms for the word “encourage” include words like inspire, motivate, stimulate, invigorate, vitalize and strengthen.  The word “uplift” means to elevate, stimulate, and build up someone.

Jesus of Nazareth was an Encourager and an Uplifter. .  To encourage is to love.  To uplift another is to love.  I think Bishop Curry said this well at the Royal Wedding:  “Love is not selfish and self-centered. Love can be sacrificial. And in so doing, becomes redemptive, and that way of unselfish, sacrificial, redemptive love, changes lives. And it can change this world. If you don’t believe me, just stop and think or imagine. Think and imagine, well, think and imagine a world where love is the way. Imagine our homes and families when love is the way. Imagine neighborhoods and communities where love is the way. Imagine governments and nations where love is the way. Imagine business and commerce when love is the way. Imagine this tired old world when love is the way, unselfish, sacrificial redemptive. When love is the way, then no child will go to bed hungry in this world ever again. When love is the way, we will let justice roll down like a mighty stream and righteousness like an everflowing brook. When love is the way, poverty will become history. When love is the way, the earth will be a sanctuary. When love is the way, we will lay down our swords and shields down, down by the riverside to study war no more. When love is the way, there’s plenty good room, plenty good room, for all of God’s children. Because when love is the way, we actually treat each other, well, like we are actually family. When love is the way, we know that God is the source of us all and we are brothers and sisters, children of God. My brothers and sisters, that’s a new heaven, a new earth, a new world, a new human family.”

Iris of the Day