Doctors are encouraged when they correctly diagnosis a patient. Lawyers are encouraged when they find just the right precedent. Plumbers are encouraged when they have all the necessary parts needed to fix the drain. Athletes are encouraged when they place in the race.
What encourages pastors? TONS of things! I'm encouraged when I hear how people are trusting in Christ through the fire. I'm encouraged to see church members fold newcomers into their lives. I'm encouraged when believers sacrifice of their time and money to take a short-term missions trip. I'm encouraged when a dad tells me he's started reading the Bible faithfully to his kids. I'm encouraged when people ask me specific questions about a sermon (it means they were listening!). I'm encouraged by so many things.
But what encourages me most? Truth be told, the answer to this question may change from day to day. But today, I'm most encouraged when I see people strategize different ways to share the gospel with people in their lives. Maybe they are looking to have a neighbor over for dinner. They might be praying about having a hard conversation with a parent. They may be studying hard to learn how to lead an evangelistic Bible study in their home.
When Christians live this way, it must be due to the fact that God is real and His gospel is precious to them. They have decided not to leave the evangelism up to Sunday morning preacher, or the gifted evangelist, but they've simply taken it upon themsleves to be salt and light wherever they are. There is nothing particularly radical about this life--it's simply being a normal Christian sharing a beautiful Word in a hostile world.
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