Toy Stories: Ken — Responsible vs. Passive - Thursday
Today’s Verse
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (ESV)
For the past 12 years, I have been involved in competitive swimming. (And when I say “involved,” I mean shuttling my daughter to practice and spending what feels like half my life at swim meets!) Throughout her swimming career, there have been several milestones she’s chased. Most of them centered around specific times she wanted to beat.
One milestone stands out: 59.40. That was the time she needed to break the 100-backstroke record. For years, she came so close—59.85, 59.56, 59.54, 59.67—but couldn’t quite get there. Her entire freshman year she hovered just shy of it. Sophomore year, she was a little further off. But she stayed determined.
When the championship meet arrived, we were ready. As soon as the race started, the stands erupted—parents, coaches, teammates, all cheering her on. The pool deck was electric. And when she touched the wall, her time read 59.32—she’d done it! Later that evening, she would lower the record again to 59.17 and take first place at the conference championship. (If you visit the Asbury pool today, you can still see her name on the record board.)
There’s something about hearing people cheer for you that makes you dig a little deeper. Scientists have actually studied this—encouragement literally gives you a physical and psychological boost.
And that’s exactly what Paul is getting at in 1 Thessalonians 5:11. We are called to encourage and build each other up. When we are there for our friends and family, we are giving them that extra boost—the strength they need to get back up when they’ve fallen, to keep going when they feel like giving up. Our encouragement shows them that we are for them, and even more importantly, that we are with them.
APPLICATION
This week, choose one person to encourage. Write them a note, send a text, or even better, talk to them face-to-face. Your words might be the boost they need to keep going!
PRAYER
God, thank You for the people who encourage me. Help me be someone who cheers others on and builds them up when they need it most.