Going Higher
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:24-25
We need others to help us grow.
In the past couple of months, I’ve had the privilege of getting some ministry coaching from a very wise and experienced Christian leader. The experience is expanding my world.
At our very first coaching session, Bob challenged me to read several books, take a couple leadership assessments, and take time to think deeply about how I live and lead. I’ve had to put in extra hours above my normal work to get it all done.
It has been powerful experience. It has challenged me deeply. I’m growing in fresh new ways. I’m seeing the world through new eyes. I’m loving it.
Just like an athletic trainer helps you develop a more fit body and lifestyle, a discipling relationship with a friend can help you grow spiritually. Through the relationship you grow in ways you could not imagine. Why is this?
In our Scripture today, we see the writer of Hebrews exhorting believers to challenge one another to grow. We are told to “spur one another on” to love and good deeds. A spur was something that got a horse moving. A sharp prick in the side of the strong animal got it moving faster and farther than before. I believe this has practical implications for us today.
We need “spurring” from other people. Left to ourselves we tend to settle for where we are and what we know. Our poor attitudes are left unchallenged. Our unhealthy habits never get addressed. Our character never gets sharpened. We don’t grow.
Who in your life “spurs you on” to more love and more good deeds? Have you formed a relationship with another believer who will tell you things you need to hear? It’s best if its a person of your own gender. If you give a trusted friend the freedom to challenge you and “spur you on,” you will find that both of you begin to grow faster and in greater dimensions.
The word that comes to mind is intentional. One of the first things my coach shared with me was this truth, “I am responsible for my own growth in Christ.” Yes, I need the Word and the Holy Spirit. I need others people too. I need teaching and preaching from wiser believers. But no one can MAKE ME GROW. I must open myself up to God’s Word and others for transformation and growth to occur.
I’ve experienced so much joy in what I have been learning lately. There is real delight in growing more into the likeness of Jesus. It’s hard work. It’s not easy to hear someone tell you an unpleasant truth about yourself. But hearing the truth spoken in love is the primary way we grow into maturity (Eph 4).
I’ve done a bit of rock climbing in my life. Going solo is hard and has limits. But when you climb with a partner, you both go faster and higher. Sometimes your reach a place where fatigue hits and you can’t go on. Sometimes you need a hand to lift you up to the next place. Together we can go higher than we could ever go alone.
Make the decision today to enter into a discipling relationship with a trusted friend. Study the Word or a book together. Share honestly your victories AND your struggles. Pray for one another. Spur one another on to more love and good deeds.
You will go places you have never gone before. You will reach heights you’ve only dreamed about. The climb is not easy. But the view is amazing!