Encourage One Another

I once participated in a four-mile run at the Kansas City Zoo. There were over two thousand runners. All of us had different paces, different styles, and different ways of being a runner. Even with those differences, all of us had the same finish line as our goal.

The course was confusing, so there were volunteers throughout, pointing out where we should go. Sometimes we were on paths, sometimes on back roads only the zookeepers see, and once we went right through the yard of the petting zoo! Along the way, the volunteers not only kept us on the right course, but they yelled encouragement: You can do it! Way to go! You’re more than halfway!

When the path got tight and curvy, there were traffic jams, and we had to slow down for others and be mindful of those in our way. But there were no negative, judgmental comments. People were supporting and encouraging each other. The sense of community was amazing.

This is the kind of community Paul calls us to be in today’s scripture.

Paul tells us to encourage each other. We are one in Christ. When we refrain from judgment and lift others up, we set a positive example, pointing the way to the shared finish line of drawing closer to Jesus.