Don't Just Build Sand Castles

In I Thessalonians 5:11 the Bible says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” As we find our summer coming to an end I’m getting really excited about the things that God has in store for ALC in the months to come. As we move forward, I challenge you to remember that we are instructed to encourage and build each other up. One of my favorite places to go, in case you didn’t know, is the beach. I love listening to the water, watching people, and just relaxing. When people-watching you will always find a few who are building things out of the sand. I’ve seen sand castles, forts, a person…whatever you imagine. If a person is talented enough, then it can be built. Just as you have those who love to create works of art in the sand, you have that person that’s sitting on the sidelines just waiting for the right moment to plow through and destroy what’s been created. I’ve seen children in tears because a brother (more often than not) destroyed the masterpiece that was just created.

Paul teaches the church the importance of encouraging one another in our journey with Christ. I can’t tell you how many times I have had somebody offer an encouraging word or a testimony of what God is doing and it builds my faith and encourages me to want to do more for Christ. I want to encourage you to share what God is teaching you with others and offer them words of encouragement. If someone has done something to bless you, then encourage them to keep doing what they are doing. If you know of someone that is going through a tough time, we need to build them up and encourage them so they will know that they are not on this journey alone. Too often, our human nature wants us to look for the bad in others or in circumstances, like the one who wants to destroy that sand castle. Don’t be that type of person but instead let everything you do fulfill what Paul was teaching.