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The Boston Marathon is among the world’s best-known races. One of the most infamous portions of the 26-mile, 385-yard course is “Heartbreak Hill.” It’s there, along that hill, that thousands of spectators gather. They stand and cheer as they see weary runners about to collapse. During one race a young man was near total exhaustion as he approached the foot of Heartbreak Hill. It was doubtful he could go a step farther. About halfway up the hill an older man, who was obviously in better shape, came alongside the younger man, put his arm around him, and spoke quietly to him. Together, step by step, they painstakingly made their way up Heartbreak Hill.

The older man, do you know what he was doing? He was encouraging the younger man.

Chat With God, Encourage Each Other to Build Each Other Up

At this time in our economy, more than ever this is a time to ” encourage each, to build each other up ” as stated in I Thes 5:11.

Far too many people have lost their homes, banks have tripled to quadrupled their interest rates, have dramatically cut back on credit lines, and have limited bank financing. Many are asking where the middle class’s stimulus or bailout is. Maybe the answer is with in ourselves.

Why not reach down deep with in ourselves and, with God’s help, rise above of the many obstacles that have been set before us? Why not reach out to a neighbor, coworker, or an acquaintance and encourage and uplift them? How many times has a random act of kindness been returned to us when we least expected it?

Chat With God, Encourage Each Other

Bruce Larson, in his book, Wind and Fire, points out some interesting facts about sand-hill cranes: “These large birds, who fly great distances across continents in a “V” formation like geese, have three remarkable qualities. First, they rotate leadership. No one bird stays out in front all the time. Second, they choose leaders who can handle turbulence. And third, all during the time one bird is leading, the rest are honking their affirmation.”

This is not a bad model for the rest of us: we all should be honking encouragement to each other.