Created for Community

A couple of weeks ago, my husband and I started running...and the only reason I've run in years was to chase after some wayward toddlers!

Those first few runs were horrendous. I hated every step. I hurt. I couldn't breathe. Each time I went out, I promised myself I would never do it again.

Each time it was time to get my tennis shoes on, I asked myself why in the world I was doing it. I would silently hope my husband would change his mind or something would come up where we wouldn't be able to make it out.

In spite of how awful those first few runs were,

I knew it was good for me.

I knew my body needed it.

I knew I would have more energy.

I knew the pain wouldn't last forever.

I also knew my husband was going to start running again after being injured for three months, and if I was ever going to keep up with him, I would have to start when he was in his worst shape!

Most importantly for me, however, was that my husband was there, running alongside me.

Cheering me on.

Walking with me when I had to walk.

High fiving me when we made it to the end.

I could not have done it without him.

In much the same way, we need people in our lives who will encourage us to become better people.

We need people who are going to cheer us on as we struggle through our insecurities and difficulties.

We need people who are willing to walk through life with us because we were created for community.

Most of all, we need to be the kind of people who encourage, cheer others on, and who others want to have walking alongside them in life.

We were created for each other.

May we strive to become the kinds of people who encourage others to become better people, cheer others on through their insecurities and difficulties, and walk through life with others.

Lord, thank you for modeling the kinds of people you created us to be through Your Son. Mold us into the kinds of people who others want to have around them. Bring people into our lives who we can cheer on, encourage, uplift, and love. May Your light shine through us, and may Your hope and joy spill out of us so others can experience Your goodness. Amen.