Why Wait 'til It's Too Late?

Having been a Pastor for a number of years I have had both the privilege and pain of a number of services honoring the passing of someone's loved one.  Many have been friends, as well as my own father and mother. I have been there honoring a 94 year old saint and a 5 hour old tiny baby boy. The sorrow is genuine and the peace often does pass all understanding. Sometimes there are hints of anger and confusion not understanding the will of God at that moment. Death is simply a part of life as we know it. It's touch is inescapable and more frequent as we grow older. We strive to comfort those who suffer the loss. Words are often beyond our reach especially when the one passed has a sorted history that showed no sign of spiritual life. What words of comfort are available in those dark hours? As the days pass, the routine and business of life fill the gaps but it is often the simple things, the routine reminders, that can haunt us. A song we shared, a kindness like a simple morning cup of coffee, or a favorite movie clip all remind us of the loss. A life deeply shared, a friend tightly held has infiltrated the fabric of our souls so that a sunset, or stream of sunlight can suddenly flood our emotions and catch us unaware. They can be both consoling and disturbing moments.

God has instructed us to be a thankful and grateful people. To appreciate all He has provided and to not take it for granted. When it comes to people we are told to be thankful for them, to encourage them, to be encouraged by them and to build them up. The New English Version holds 72 verses that instruct us to encourage one another. Other translations use words like comfort, strengthen, and uphold. The intent is the same. In the midst of the breadth of the Hebrew and Greek words we are instructed to encourage one another. We are to do and say things that help our fellow humans move through this earthly life. This is especially true for the community of believers, the family of God. Paul sent Timothy to the young assembly of believers in Thessalonica to encourage them in their faith, I Thessalonians 3:2 reads, " and [Paul] sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith." A little later in the same letter Paul instructs the body to do the same, "Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing" (1 Thessalonians 5:11). In a world that beats us down we need encouragement. Sin hounds us, which is why the writer of Hebrews leaves us with this, "But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin" (Hebrews 3:13).

I find the words at the beginning of Joshua encouraging as both the Lord and God's people encourage Joshua with the words to be "Strong and courageous". Words he needed as he took over leadership from a man like Moses who, let's be honest, was a pretty big act to follow. If you look to the end of most of the apostolic letters we find lists of people the writers were grateful for.  The Apostle Paul records lists 0f names we know little about. Folks like, Prisca, Aquila, Onesiphorus, Erastus, Trophimus, Eubulus, Prudens, Linus, and Claudia. All found at the close of Paul's second letter to Timothy. Random people who encouraged Paul on his life's journey. Secured in prison encouragement was life's blood for the Apostle. Peter speaks warmly of Silvanus, his faithful brother and Mark, his son in the faith (1 Peter 5:12-13). John writes to his, "beloved, Gaius and to Demetrius, who has a good testimony from the truth itself (3 John 1 & 13). Words of encouragement with pen to parchment and preserved for all time.

I, myself, have a "Barnabas" file. Barnabas means "Son of encouragement", Not a bad nickname given to Joses by the apostles in Acts 4. My file contains notes and cards given to me over the years. Some are from my children and my wife. However, the bulk of them are from random people who took the time to encourage me in written form over the years. I have two poems individuals wrote to speak to me of friendship and the gift God let me be to them. They are treasured and a comfort when the slings and arrows fly during those uncomfortable and somehow inevitable painful days that come with ministry. They are the result of brothers and sisters in Christ who were obedient to God's direction to be an encouragement. They are more precious than gold.

I have presided over some pretty amazing memorial services where people came to share the joy of knowing a life now past. They come to pass on thoughts and memories of moments treasured and words spoken at just the right time. Eulogies for a life that had meaning and impact on their life and how they are a better person for having known the deceased. They are encouraging words. I wonder if they had ever been spoken while the lost one still breathed. The words spoken now fall on silent ears and a still heart. They are a consolation to those who remain. An encouragement to the friends and family who are left behind. However, the honoree lies cold and unresponsive. How many words do we wish we had spoken? Or words written to to be held and treasured as the years pass by. Why do we wait 'til it's too late? Today is a day to encourage. To follow the examples of Paul and Peter and John and write a note to a beloved friend. To let someone know the impact they have had on our lives. To tell them that their words made a difference. Forget the phone, no texts or tweets (not that these are a bad thing) but pick up a pen, buy a few thank you cards at the Dollar Store and encourage someone you care about. Let them hear your eulogy before their time ends and the clock stops. Why wait 'til it's too late?