It takes a family

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV

On April 28, 48-Year-Old Virginia Mom, Perry Shoemaker, became the second-oldest woman to qualify for the Olympic Trials when she crossed the finish line of the Eugene Marathon in 2:43:33. And although Perry worked very hard and made a lot of sacrifices to accomplish this feat, she attributes the majority of her success to the support of her family saying, “I think he [her husband] almost had a stronger belief in my ability to do this than I did at times. I couldn’t do any of this without my husband’s support and my daughters’ support through the whole thing. Their belief in me? It’s been great.”

And you know, when it comes to obtaining any goal, it's no secret that a person who has a family supporting them has a much better chance of succeeding than someone who doesn't. Paul certainly understood this which is why he urged the people at the church at Thessalonica to "encourage one another and build each other up..." You see, although these followers of Christ might have shared biological "family" units within the church, the members of the church were also a "family" - connected by a shared love for the Lord and a desire to follow Him and spread the Gospel. And the support of their church "family" is the very thing each follower needed to stay focused, committed and unwavering in their mission to grow in the faith and preach the Good News. 

And you know what? You and I are just like those people at Thessalonica my friend. In order to be all that we are called to be and to go out and make disciples of all nations as we are commanded, we need the encouragement and edification that only our church family can provide. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that no Christian can succeed in their mission without the support of other believers. Help us to work together Lord in the way you have designed the church to work that we might achieve great things for the Kingdom and lead the lost to the foot of the Cross in record numbers. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

We Are Your Church