"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works..." —Hebrews 10:24
I was raised in church and in a Christian home, but I did not know Christ until I was 17. Somewhere in between coming to know Christ and now, there was a time when I didn't really want to go to church. I didn't see why it was necessary.
After a while, God put in me a desire to be with other believers, to share my life with brothers and sisters in Christ again. I still hadn't joined a community, so one day at work, He showed me one of the many good reasons for being in fellowship: stirring up one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24).
My boss was talking to a customer who was telling him about how they were going to a funeral. My immediate thought was something along the lines of "Who cares?" My next thought was without words—utter devastation. How could I think such a thing? Where was my compassion? I had been away from those who love God and each other for so long that my compassion for others had dwindled to almost nothing in that time.
Although God renewed my heart when He brought me back to Him and the church, I still hadn't let Him renew my compassion. I may never see that customer again, and I missed a great opportunity to talk about the free gift of God, and the resurrection that He offers through Jesus Christ.
Through that small, short experience, God showed me the reason that I need to surround myself with those who love Him—instead of those who love the world. But this isn't only for myself. It's a two way street. Not only do I need others to cause me to be moved toward compassion, I need to cause others to be moved toward compassion.
Philippians 2:4 says, "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
—John Raz
John Raz is a diabetic who enjoys writing, playing guitar, and photography. He rarely knows what to put in his own bio because he's not good at talking about himself, but he would love to talk to you about Christ!
