The Gospel Hand-off
Well now, friend, land sakes alive, pull up a real comfy rocker over here on this ol’ front porch and rest your weary feet for a spell. If you wandered in lookin’ for peace, purpose, or maybe just a moment away from the chaos that sounds like a chicken coop full of ol’ roosters that all think they’re in charge, you’re in the right place. I’m mighty glad you stopped by. Let’s git to warmin’ our hands around the truth of God’s Word together like friendly folks gatherin’ around a potbelly stove on a frosty mornin’.
Hebrews 10:24 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” That verse fits like an ol’ hound dog that finally found the porch it’s been circlin’ all day, especially when you set it right beside 1 Corinthians 11:1, which tells us, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” Put those two together, and you’ve got a mighty fine picture of how God expects His people to live. One verse calls us to nudge each other toward love and good works, and the other one shows us how that happens. We spur one another on by livin’ in such a way that others can be followin’ in our footsteps straight toward Jesus. And Romans 15:2 ties the bow on top by remindin’ us that “each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.” In other words, friend, your walk is supposed to lift somebody else’s walk up. If you think about it, you’re sittin’ where you’re sittin’ today because somebody somewhere decided you were worth more than the last biscuit in the pan.
Maybe it was a Bible study teacher that stuck with you like a determined ol’ goat that plum refuses to leave the garden. Maybe it was a vacation Bible school leader that made Jesus so real to you that you could almost hear Him laughin’ with the kids. Maybe it was a neighbor that showed up when your life felt like a lil’ ol’ rowdy squirrel tryin’ to cross a four lane highway. Or maybe it was a parent that prayed for you with the persistence of a ol’ woodpecker that kept right on tappin’ on the same tree all day long.
Somebody downright invested in you. They didn’t just toss you information like feed to a barnyard plum full of critters. They gave you their life. That’s how the gospel has always moved. People investin’ in other people. Paul poured into Timothy. Timothy poured into other faithful folks. Those folks poured into others. And here you sit, blessed, because somebody believed you were plum worth the time.
Second Timothy 2:2 sho’-nuff’ reminds us to “pass along what we’ve learned to reliable people who’ll teach others.” And here’s another verse to deepen the roots of this truth. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Friend, that there’s God’s way of sayin’ we’re plum meant to shape each other, not sit alone like a forgotten fence post standin’ all by itself way out in a field.
Now it’s plum your turn. Who are you sharpenin’? Who will be sittin’ somewhere bein’ like Jesus twenty years from now because you took the time to show up, listen, pray, and love?
Lord, thank You for the people who invested in us. Help us notice who needs encouragement, guidance, or a gentle nudge toward You. Make us faithful stewards of the gospel and generous with our time. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Well, friend, I reckon it’s time for you to leave off this porch and journey right on back into your day. Make sure that you go like a determined lil’ ol’ beaver buildin’ somethin’ that downright matters. You’ve gotta be lettin’ your kindness git to ripplin’ out like a creek after a good rain. You’ve gotta be lettin’ your faith be standin’ real tall like a tall oak tree that’s weathered a hundred storms and overcome too many bug infestations. Now scoot on along and go to makin’ somebody’s day a lil’ bit brighter.
With joy,
Gwen
