What in the world was I thinking? As many of you know, for the last several weeks I have been getting ready for my role in ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.’ I play the part of Pharaoh with an Elvis twist and lets just say that I am WAY out of my comfort zone. I will admit that I was reluctant to audition and I didn’t realize how stressful it would be, but I must say that over that past several weeks I have learned quite a bit about myself.
Many of you who really know me, know that I can be a little OCD. I’m a bit of a perfectionist, not necessarily when it comes to other people, but definitely when it comes to me. I don’t like the feeling that I don’t know what I’m doing and I’m definitely not keen on making a fool out of myself.
Several years ago, Pam made me go through a book with her about relationships. YUCK…says the He-man woman hater in me (for those of you who get Little Rascals references). The book was this somewhat touchy feely study by Gary Chapman called “The Five Languages of Love” and I kind of half-heartedly went through it. However, while going through the book, Pam determined that my love language was “words of affirmation.” My macho nature thought, “whatever Chapman! My love language is not reading a book about love languages.”
Anyway, as I have been rehearsing for ‘Joseph,’ I have realized more than ever that Pam…and Chapman…were right. Not only am I energized and motivated by positive words of encouragement, but I really need them to function properly. On the other hand, I’m devastated and defeated by words of criticism, and they often leave me feeling like quitting.
Right now, some of you are probably playing the world’s smallest violin and I get that. However, here is the point. As followers of Christ, who are called to love others, we really need to be sensitive to the hearts of those we encounter on a daily basis. We should really go to great lengths to speak encouragement to the hearts of others. Hebrews 3:13 says, “Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today…” The truth is that everyone loves a word of encouragement. Therefore, my challenge to each of you is to strive to be a blessing to those with whom you speak, make a genuine effort to build them up, so that they may be inspired by the very love of Christ that fills you.
Hey, dude, from one encouragement-lover to another, that’s a good word. There’s far too little of this in the world today, especially amongst Christians. It’s amazing to see how much the Lord can do with one kind comment or word of encouragement. Embrace it, man! Build up that church and be an example for the believers! Amen!
Absolutely Chris! Thanks for the comment. Hope you guys are doing well.