“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up . . .”  – 1 Thessalonians 5:11 

As we near the end of a long race, aching legs, burning throat, our bodies crying out for us to stop, this is when friends and fans are most valuable.  It is their encouragement that helps us push through the pain to the finish line.  A word of encouragement at just the right moment often means the difference between finishing well and collapsing along the way.

Such an instance happened to me once, except I had already crossed the finish line before collapsing face down in the dirt – sobbing.  At the age of fourteen I had spent several weeks attending a sports camp where I had worked hard getting myself in top physical condition and honing my athletic skills before entering the first year of high school.  But just before the closing events of camp my dad was injured in a freak accident at work and because he was laid up my parents were unable to attend.  I was heartbroken, wanting so badly for them to be there and see all I had accomplished that summer.  At the final track meet I was competing in a 440-yard race, and their absence made me more determined than ever to win, even though I really wasn’t very fast.

As soon as the starting gun cracked, I popped out of the blocks with all the strength I could muster.  My main competitor and I immediately took the lead, shoulder to shoulder the entire way around the track, that is until he managed to overtake me by half a stride just at the finish line where I collapsed into the dirt, crushed from exhaustion and defeat.  Suddenly a man appeared from the crowd, a family friend, and lifted my sweaty, filthy, tearful body off the ground.  Wrapping his arms around me, he comforted me with these encouraging words, “I watched you run that race.  I never saw anyone with such desire to win.  You’re a competitor.  You’re SOMEBODY!  Don’t ever forget that.”  And I never have – ever!  It was just the word of encouragement I needed, at just the right moment.

Many years passed, then one day I realized I should write that gentleman to express how much that moment had meant to me.  A few days later he called to thank me for my kind letter.  Not long afterwards he passed away.  But I’ve always hoped my letter might have encouraged him as he approached his own finish line, just he had encouraged me; for should we not “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up . . .”? 

“I will pour out my Spirit on all people.  Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.”  – Joel 2:28 

Among the volumes of influential writings and scores of eloquent speeches and sermons by the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., none perhaps is more memorable nor more often quoted than his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, as it is now referred to, given on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in August of 1963.  Some scholars argue it may have been the greatest speech of the twentieth century; for it was in that passionate address that Dr. King beautifully summarized his own life’s mission and purpose, and the meaning behind his many courageous acts, brilliant writings and inspiring speeches – his dream.

Like Moses, though, who never made it to the promise land, Dr. King’s own life was tragically cut short before he could experience the fulfillment of his dream.  But even if he were still alive today would he have seen his mission completed?  The answer, of course, is no.  While much progress has been made – and hopefully Dr. King would be pleased about that – we are still far from the peaceful, civil, racially unbiased society of his dream.  His was a big dream, though, a massive one, and big dreams take years, indeed generations to fulfill.

Dr. King dreamed of a society where people are judged “not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character”, and Moses dreamed of leading his people into the long-awaited promise land, a land flowing with milk and honey.  But don’t we dream the same dreams they did, though perhaps in a lesser context, dreams of a future for our children whereby they have an opportunity to live safe, healthy and prosperous lives?

I have often felt bad for Moses and Dr. King, who dedicated their lives in pursuit of their dreams, faithful to the missions for which they had been called by God.  It seemed unfair they did not live to see them into fruition.  But maybe they knew that, that their dreams were too massive, and life inherently too short to see them through to the end.  Perhaps it was not their jobs to see them through, but to inspire the future generations.  Maybe that’s what we’re all called to do in our own time.  It is why we honor Dr. King on this day; for as the prophet Joel proclaimed centuries ago, “Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.”  

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders . . .”  – Hebrews 12:1 

Do you ever think about the fact that everything we do someone is watching?  Kind of scary, isn’t it?  In case you don’t believe that’s true, think about how often you notice other people and the seemingly insignificant things about them, whether they are rude, pleasant, or simply ignore the wait person in a restaurant, pick up a piece of debris in a parking lot or throw one out, if they have a smile or a frown, neatly dressed or sloppy, appear happy or out of sorts.  People are noticing our behaviors the same way we are noticing theirs.  But does it matter really?

We do a great deal of our shopping at a nearby Kroger supermarket, and grocery stores are great places to observe human behavior.  And at this particular store there is an employee whose name is Rockie.  Rockie serves a lot of different functions in the store, but most often works as a checker, and when we shop there we will go out of our way to be checked out by Rockie, even if hers is the longest line, which it normally is.  Not only is she efficient at her job, but she has this amazingly infectious personality – a great sense of humor, calls you sweetheart, thanks you for your business and sends you on your way with a warm “God bless you”.  But does it really matter?  It does to us.  Tee will inevitably walk in the house after shopping at Kroger with a huge smile that literally lights up our household, and I always know why.  “Rockie checked me out!” she’ll say.

Having grandchildren has made me increasingly conscious that they are observing everything I do and, depending on my particular behavior in the moment, will have either a positive or negative impact on their lives.  Like it or not they are witnessing adult behavior, my behavior, and it is up to me how that will impact them.  But it is also up to me how I treat Rockie when I’m in Kroger, or a fellow customer in the store, another motorist on the freeway, a colleague, employee, or my neighbor down the street.

Everything we do someone is watching; for each of us is surrounded by a cloud of witnesses who is impacted by what we do – positively or negatively.  “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders . . .” our opportunity to touch a life, or like Rockie, to light up someone’s household.

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made . . .”  – Psalm 139:14 

Much has been written in the business news the past few days about Herb Kelleher, the iconic co-founder and former long-time CEO of Southwest Airlines, who recently passed away.  As we all know, Southwest Airlines was established on a model of providing low-cost air travel, and over the years grew to be one of the largest, most efficient and most profitable airlines in the history of the industry.  Much of the credit goes to Kelleher and his leadership and business acumen.  But more notably the airline’s success is directly linked to the way Kelleher treated people, especially employees and customers.  Kelleher valued human beings above all, not solely for what they did, but simply because they are fellow humans.  He loved people, and he believed in them.  It was his hallmark.

Reading about Herb Kelleher reminded me of a life lesson I once learned from one of my most influential teachers, B. F. Jordan, a man who besides being a great educator became in my adult life both a friend and mentor, as he did with many of his former students.  As a teenager, though, and being one of the better students in my class, I became pretty full of myself.  So, one day in a conversation with Mr. Jordan I popped off about another kid, a struggling C student and notorious trouble-maker, that he would surely never amount to anything.  To my surprise and embarrassment Jordan took exception and came to the guy’s defense.  Oh no, he rebuked, he’s got as much potential as anyone in this school.

That conversation took place so many years ago I have long forgotten who that kid was I disparaged.  What I’ve not forgotten, though, is the life lesson I learned that day from B. F. Jordan; for he understood something I didn’t, that every human being – including that notorious troublemaker, as well as me – is “fearfully and wonderfully made” by our Creator, each in a unique way, endowed with purpose and potential.

I have no idea whatever happened with that troublemaker kid, but my guess is I was wrong, that he’s done great in life.  If so, no doubt it is to B. F. Jordan’s credit who valued him, believed in him, and encouraged him to reach his highest potential.  Just as Southwest Airlines’ success can be directly linked to the “people” culture created and fostered by Herb Kelleher who valued people, believed in them, and saw their potential; for each of us is “fearfully and wonderfully made” – created in the image of God.

Luke 2:8-14 

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they

were terrified.  But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that

will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the

Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’”

May God’s peace rest on each of you and your families this Christmas season, and your New Year be filled with hope and promise!

Abundant Living publications will return January 2019.