(Hebrews 10:24-25)

Hey there, friend! It’s Pastor Scott, and I’m just sitting here with a cup of coffee at the airport, thinking about what it means to really show up for each other. I’ve been at a conference this week called “Belonging” and I’ve got to tell you, I felt like I did and as I visited with old friends I felt encouraged and loved.

You know, life can feel like you’re lost in the woods and there’s no one to help you —this life seems to constantly make us feel like we need to be rushing about, all the while life is swirling, pulling us in a hundred directions. And in the middle of all that, we’re called to be people who don’t just float along, but who paddle toward each other with purpose. That’s where Hebrews 10:24-25 comes in, like a beacon, a gentle nudge, a holy (in the translation of my 17 year old son)“Bruh, let’s do this together.”

Here’s the text, straight from the heart of Scripture:
“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.” (NIV)

Okay, let’s unpack this, because there’s something so important for us here. The writer of Hebrews is saying, “Hey, let’s think hard about how we can stir each other up.” Not stir up drama or chaos—nah, we’ve got enough of that. Stir up love. Stir up good deeds. It’s like tossing a pebble into a pond and watching the ripples spread. Your words, your presence, your actions—they ripple out, touching lives in ways you might not even see.

But here’s the thing: this isn’t just about showing up to church (though, yeah, that’s part of it). It’s about showing up for each other in the mess of life. It’s about being the kind of people who don’t just coast through relationships but lean into them, and get curious, and ask, “How can I help you shine brighter?” The Greek word for “spur” here is paroxysmos—it’s a word that means to provoke or stir up, almost like a holy agitation. It’s not passive. It’s active, intentional, like poking a fire to make it blaze.

And then there’s that bit about “not giving up meeting together.” Some folks had started bailing on community, maybe because life got hard, or they got hurt, or they just got lazy. Sound familiar? We’ve all been tempted to pull back, to isolate, to think, “I’m fine on my own.” But the writer’s like, “Nope, don’t do it. You need each other. Keep showing up.” Why? Because when we gather—whether it’s in a sanctuary, a coffee shop, or a living room—something holy happens. We remind each other who we are. We encourage each other to keep going, especially as the “Day” (you know, the big one, when Jesus returns) gets closer.

So, what does this look like in real life? How do we spur and encourage each other in a way that’s real, not just slapping a smiley-face sticker on someone’s pain? It starts with paying attention. It’s about seeing the people around you—not just their faces, but their hearts. It’s about asking, “What’s stirring in you? What’s holding you back? How can I help you take that next step toward love and good deeds?”

Here are four questions you can ask yourself as you think about spurring and encouraging others. These aren’t just for you to ponder in your quiet time—they’re for the road, for the conversations, for the moments when you’re face-to-face with someone who needs a spark:

1. Who in my life needs a nudge to keep going?
   Look around. Who’s weary? Who’s stuck? Maybe it’s your friend who’s been quiet lately, or the coworker who seems overwhelmed. How can you come alongside them with a word, a gesture, a moment of presence that says, “I see you, and you’ve got this”?
   
2. What’s one specific way I can inspire love in someone today?
   Love isn’t abstract—it’s concrete. It’s a text that says, “I’m praying for you.” It’s dropping off a meal. It’s listening without fixing. Think of one person and one tangible way you can spark love in their life today.
   
3. Am I showing up consistently for my community?
   Be honest. Are you in the habit of gathering, or have you been ghosting your people? Community isn’t perfect—it’s messy, sometimes awkward—but it’s where we grow. What’s one step you can take to lean back in?
   
4. How can I celebrate someone’s good deeds without making it weird?
   People are doing beautiful things all around you—small acts of kindness, bold steps of faith. How can you call that out? Maybe it’s a note, a shout-out, or just saying, “I saw what you did, and it’s awesome.” Encouragement doesn’t have to be loud; it just has to be real.

Here’s the deal: spurring and encouraging isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room or having all the answers. It’s about being present, being intentional, and believing that God’s already at work in the people around you. You’re not creating the fire—you’re just fanning the flames. And when you do that, when you stir up love and good deeds, you’re not just changing someone else’s day—you’re changing the world, one ripple at a time. Make sure the people you are reaching out to feel like they belong. Include them. Don’t just let them be spectators, but engage in friendships!

So, go out there and be a holy agitator. Stir something up. Show up. Encourage someone to keep running their race. And don’t be surprised when you find yourself encouraged, too. Because that’s how this works—we’re all in this together, and the Day is coming.

Grace and peace,
Pastor Scott

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