Receive Encouragement

Receive Encouragement

Some people act like Lone Rangers; that is, they seem to pull back from people and do everything by themselves, on their own. That can be a sign of strength, of course. These people are disciplined self-starters who don’t need to be pushed, prodded, and exhorted to get moving and do the job.

Runners often run by themselves, out of necessity or by choice (up at dawn and out the door). Braving the elements and pushing through, day after day, builds character and determination. People who discipline themselves to pull on the outfit, lace up the shoes, and run no matter what are likely to be disciplined in other areas. Employers and coaches love having people with those qualities on their teams.

On the other hand, rugged individualism can have a dark side. Loners like this can be harmful to a team when they think their way is the only way and don’t want to work with anyone else. “I’d rather do it myself, thank you very much!” is not a great attitude for a team. And those who dogmatically insist that their way is the only way may be heading blindly in the wrong direction.

No matter how strong we are individually, we need others—at least one more person—to affirm and encourage us and keep us on the right path.

Paul certainly was a strong individualist and leader. He could face angry mobs and Roman officials without fear. Even as a prisoner, he told the commanding officer what to do on their sinking ship (Acts 27:27-44). Yet Paul always had traveling companions on his lengthy mission trips—Barnabas, John Mark, Silas, Luke, and others. And he submitted himself to the leadership, counsel, and encouragement of other church leaders. Check this out:

Fourteen years later I went back to Jerusalem again, this time with Barnabas; and Titus came along, too. I went there because God revealed to me that I should go. While I was there I met privately with those considered to be leaders of the church and shared with them the message I had been preaching to the Gentiles. I wanted to make sure that we were in agreement, for fear that all my efforts had been wasted and I was running the race for nothing. And they supported me and did not even demand that my companion Titus be circumcised, though he was a Gentile. (Galatians 2:1-3)

The Runner

Although he knew lots of runners and enjoyed talking running with many of them at work and at church, Gary ran alone. Trying to match up with someone just isn’t worth the effort, he thought. Gary’s work schedule varied, and his running schedule changed along with it, so he figured he’d have a tough time finding someone to be that flexible. He also didn’t join in the weekend runs some invited him to. Gary wasn’t antisocial, he simply would rather run by himself, keeping his own pace, deep in his own thoughts and enjoying nature.

Some friends mentioned running in the marathon coming up in about six months. Gary didn’t say anything to them about his plans, but he decided to try it too. Up till then, his longest race had been a 10K. So he registered and carefully followed the training schedule he found online. When the race came, Gary was ready. Working his way to the start, he saw some of his friends—but carefully avoiding them, he tried to blend in with some strangers.

As the race progressed, Gary was doing well, keeping his pace and right on schedule. But he began to have breathing problems at about mile seventeen—a painful stitch in the side. He slowed and then walked and seemed to get some relief, so he began to run again. But just a few miles later, Gary hit the wall. He felt totally spent and could feel every pain—the blisters, the muscle aches, the dried sweat around his eyes, the burning lungs . . . and the stitch had returned. And he was in a stretch of the racecourse with no spectators because of the terrain. Gary walked, more like hobbled, but he kept moving.

Off to his right, he thought he heard his name. “Gary. Hey, dude, how’re you doing?” Gary saw Terrance from church. Terrance looked awful and was limping along, slightly hunched over. He came up to Gary, slowed to a walk, and put his hand on Gary’s shoulder. “We can do it, Gary! You’re looking good. We’re almost there.”

Gary managed a thin smile, whispered, “Thanks,” and started to run again. Thirty minutes later they crossed the finish line together.

The Race

Gary didn’t think he needed anyone, but Terrance proved to be a huge encouragement. No one should try to go it alone in life. We all need help; we need people to come alongside, like Terrance, and encourage us.

Paul did. In addition to submitting himself to other church leaders, he was open to words of encouragement, especially from those who would share how Christ had changed their lives. So in anticipation of traveling to Rome to see believers in that great city, Paul wrote, “When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours” (Romans 1:12).

And here’s what he said to the believers in Corinth about specific individuals:

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.

You know that Stephanas and his household were the first of the harvest of believers in Greece, and they are spending their lives in service to God’s people. I urge you, dear brothers and sisters, to submit to them and others like them who serve with such devotion. I am very glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have come here. They have been providing the help you weren’t here to give me. They have been a wonderful encouragement to me, as they have been to you. You must show your appreciation to all who serve so well. (1 Corinthians 16:13-18)

We need people to affirm, correct, encourage, and lead us.

The Result

Spending time with others and being open to them isn’t always easy. As with running, you may have to adjust your pace to match theirs. But God created us to be in relationship, in community. Even Jesus surrounded himself with twelve close followers, and he sent them out two by two. Along your route, invite someone to come alongside; talk, pray, listen, and encourage each other on the way.

My Story

My wife and I trained for months to run a half marathon together--plodding every step, side by side. It was a great experience. Unfortunately, the day before the big race, my wife suffered a miscarriage and was unable to run the race. She insisted I run without her. It was a long, hard, lonely race. But every few miles, I’d see her standing on the sidelines cheering me on. I had a bitter taste in my mouth as I crossed the finish line while my best friend and running buddy had to sit on the sidelines.

But perhaps that was a blessing in disguise. Two years later, we trained together again. Every step, side by side. It is so fun to run with someone and to have a quiet voice encouraging you along the way. This year, we finished together, hand in hand. I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.

My advice to runners: Don’t do it alone. Train with someone. The journey is much better with a friend.

Matthew

Think It Through

1. When do you run by yourself? What do you like about running alone? What do you enjoy about running with someone else?

2. When has someone been a great encouragement to you by his or her example? When has someone, either solicited or not, encouraged you verbally?

3. When have you needed encouragement but were afraid to ask for it?

4. What keeps you from opening up to others? What would you like someone to know about you?

On Running

How will high altitude affect my training?

The biggest difference you’ll notice when training at high altitudes is the increased rate of respiration. That is, the higher you go, the less oxygen is in the air; so you will have less oxygen in the blood. Therefore, you will breathe more rapidly to try to get as much oxygen into your body as possible. You’ll find that you can’t train at the same intensity at high altitudes as you did at sea level.