Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
There’s a lot of talk these days about “boosters.” In this case, it’s a “booster shot” to increase our effectiveness to ward off disease through vaccines. There are many kinds of boosters. For example, booster chairs lift children to eat at the “big people table.” Booster rockets give satellites the “oomph” to achieve orbit. Boosters increase others’ effectiveness by their efforts.
God’s word is filled with words of encouragement – “boosters” – for His people. We all face many challenges each day. The temptations laid before us by Satan, the world, and our own sinful nature can make a life of faith difficult. Without a booster, even faithful people can fall away from God. Therefore, the writer of Hebrews urges us, “Exhort (Boost) one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13). God created us to live in community, not as separate, independent islands unto ourselves. This community He calls us into is “the Body of Christ.” Here we live together so we can “exhort one another every day!”
This exhorting, or boosting, takes many forms. When you’re going through a challenging time and you make a prayer request to the church – the Prayer Circle, the Deacons, and I come together to boost you in prayer. When someone in the church falls on hard times and has difficulty making ends meet – the Food Pantry, the Benevolence Fund, and others boost them up with extra food or other provision. When a church member is grieving the death of a loved one – we pull together as the Body of Christ to boost them through meals, prayers, and often by our simple presence. You and I, we’re the eyes, ears, hands, and feet of the One who gives us all the ultimate boost – through Jesus, we’ll all be boosted to the place we can’t get to on our own, eternal life in the kingdom of heaven. So, let’s also boost one another for that glorious day to come.
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Jim