Encouraged and United

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love...

Colossians 2:2

Here are two goals the Apostle Paul had for the church at Colossae, and they are excellent goals for us to strive for in our own churches as well.

The first goal is that they may be “encouraged in heart.” It’s so easy for believers to become discouraged since the very current of the world pulls against us. In the original language this word for ‘encourage’ means “to call to one’s side.” All of us need people who will come alongside us to strengthen and encourage us when times are tough. All of us need that strength and encouragement that come from knowing we aren’t alone. Be that for someone in your church. Find someone to come alongside and encourage. Find someone to help as you walk the road of faith together.

Paul’s second goal is that they would be “united in love.” Several Bible translations say “knit together in love.” I like that, because that’s how relationships happen in the church. Now I’m no expert when it comes to knitting, but I do know that you don’t just pile yarn up in a basket and expect it to turn into a sweater. It takes intentionality. You have to knit that yarn together with a certain stitch that makes a pattern and binds it all together. 

Most of the time, relationships are the same. Close Christian friendships don’t just happen automatically. You can’t just sit people down in the same pew and expect them to become best friends. It takes intentionality. Somebody, has to be intentional. Somebody has to start a conversation, or invite the other person over to lunch, or plan a game night, or something in order for your lives to intertwine.

Far too many people visit and even regularly attend churches for months and then leave simply because this never happened. The preaching was good. The music was good. They liked the people. But they never plugged in. They never got knit into any kind of community there. They had no relationships at the church. So, the next time life pulled on them, there was nothing holding them in place and they left. That shouldn't happen in our churches. 

So, knit yourself to other believers. Link up. Connect. If you’re new to a church, don’t just hang around the edges and wait for someone else to make the first move. Plug in, build relationships, take that risk. And if you’ve been at your church for a long time and don’t need new friends… reach out anyway. You may not need them, but they may need you.