Everyone Needs a CEO
“Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
The apostle Paul wrote these words to a group of new Jesus followers who were living in a busy city along the main Roman highway of the day. These words were recorded in a letter that was heavy with promises and hope about the return of their Lord. Paul wanted this group believers to be confident in God’s plan for their future. He wanted them to understand how they were to conduct themselves as they waited patiently for all that he had told them about to come to pass.
In verse 5:11, Paul charged the Thessalonians to persist in the ministry of encouragement. Apparently, they already had an impressive track record, and Paul gave them a spiritual high-five before instructing them to continue the good work of building up each other.
While most encouragers are intentional in their efforts, they may never really know the life and hope their thoughtful words and actions pour into dry, parched souls. Do you have any of these Thessalonians in your circle to cheer you on in the race of life? Someone who randomly texts you just to remind you that God loves you? Someone who’s rooting for you and letting you know that you’re in their prayers? Someone who sends you the perfect Scripture at the perfect time?
Or someone who goes to the trouble of having caps custom made with your fledgling website’s logo on them – just so you’ll know that she believes in you?
The same sweet friend who “published” my November Roses “book” (you can read that story here "The Book That Led Me Here") also recently surprised me with those adorable caps! Her fictitious publishing company apparently had a “marketing department” that was given the task of creating some November Roses merch. The result? Pretty caps in bright colors that just made me smile (after I happy-cried)!
Since my friend became so corporate-minded in her support for me and my writing venture, what else could I do?! I gave her the title CEO – Chief Encouragement Officer (sorry, friend – no big money or high-rise corner office involved). The lengths she’s gone to in order to support and motivate me have spurred me on when I’ve been discouraged, and they’ve kept me pursuing this little website through the highs and lows. Although I love to write, I fall short in finding words to express how appreciative I am for her friendship - except to give her that fancy corporate title.
When I see the loneliness and heartache in this world, give notice to the pervading sense of purposelessness and discouragement, see faces devoid of hope and full of shame – oh, how I long for an army of modern-day Thessalonians to sprinkle encouragement like dust in the wind! And if you’re one of those who are hurting and feeling forgotten, I pray that God sends one of those troops with His message of love and grace to bless you.
Brothers and sisters, we have the hope of eternal life in Christ Jesus! We know the value of the soul inside of every person we meet – made in the image of God Himself! We have the sensitivity of the Holy Spirit to know when to reach out to others to pour life and hope into their hearts.
We get to be CEO’s – Chief Encouragement Officers – to folks in this world who desperately need a boost of kindness and support.
Paul wanted the Thessalonians to encourage each other in anticipation of Christ’s return. We’re closer to that Day with each passing moment. Keep up the good work of sharing uplifting words that point to Him – right up until His glorious return!
“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May He strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones.” – 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
