Get in a group. Serve on a team.

8.30.11

My older brother was 2 years older than me, so when I was 3, he was 5. I remember as a 3-year old my brother's most commonly used phrase - "of course I was running." This was his answer when he would fall or trip or something would happen; he would run to my mom to tell her about it and always said "I was running....of course I was running..." This has become the common theme with my blog - when I run, I think and find things to write about. So here it is...

I was running (of course I was running). I took my usual route - south main towards downtown, back up south elm.  I had just ran up one of the biggest hills on the route and was about out of energy.  I slowed to a walk when I saw another big hill in front of me. I just couldn't run up it. My legs felt like they were about to give out...

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a girl sprint past me on the opposite side of the road. She looked to be about my age and about the same size.  I watched her for about 15 seconds, and it gave me the feeling of "if she can do it, you can do it." I looked at the hill in front of me and started to jog, steadying my pace with hers so we were almost running right next to one another.  Seeing her run the hill gave me the motivation to do it as well.

As I was in rhythm with this other runner, I started thinking about those people in my life that push me and motivate me like she did. About 90% of those people in my life are ones in my small group at church.  They are the ones I can call when I need to be challenged or encouraged. They were there through my mom's stroke, to helping us move (twice), to going on vacations together.  If you recall in the New Testament, even Jesus had a small group. He had 12 men that he "did life" with.  They were all there for him in the good times and bad, to motivate, challenge, and encourage.

This is why at One Life we push so hard to get in a group or serve on a team.  You weren't put here on Earth to go through life alone.  1 Thessalonians 5:11 - "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up..."  Hebrews 3:13 - "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today..."  Hebrews 10:25 - "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another..."  The Bible is full of examples!

If you aren't in a group or on a team, I encourage you to find one.  The people that you form relationships with will help you grow spiritually, speak truth into your life, energize and love you.  I can't imagine my life without the people in my life group. :)