Fueling Your Faith Through Christian Community

Insights from The Weekly REBOOT

By: Jenny Owens

Picture this: Evan and I were hiking with our boys a few years ago, an experience that taught us valuable lessons about inspiration. Our oldest, Noah, was only four and our younger, Asa, was in a baby carrier. We quickly realized our hike was a bit too ambitious for Noah. As he began to tire, I started telling Noah the story of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. I encouraged him by comparing his own perseverance on this hike to that of the Israelite children journeying through the desert. Miraculously, this gave him the boost to make it back to the car.

Reflecting on that day, I realized two key points: we can find motivation from the struggles and triumphs of others, and always know the path you're about to take!

Inspiration is a profound concept, particularly within a biblical context. The author of Hebrews encourages us in Hebrews 10:24-25 to "spur one another on toward love and good deeds" and to not give up meeting together. The Greek word used here, "paraksousmos," suggests invoking motivation—an idea firmly rooted in community support.

Consider how people inspire us with their talents and perseverance. Whether through incredible athletic feats, beautiful art, or motivational leadership, there's something about excellence that stirs us. For instance, my eight-year-old son was so inspired after watching the Olympic Games that he set up his own racetrack to emulate the athletes.

But inspiration also comes from seeing others overcome adversity with grace and resilience. Christian figures like Corrie Ten Boom and Dietrich Bonhoeffer held firm in their faith amidst immense trials, prompting us to evaluate our own approach to suffering. Witnessing such radical love and perseverance challenges us to embrace similar virtues.

Allow me to share the story of Jamie, a young woman we met through REBOOT at Fort Campbell. Despite grappling with a rare disease and a tumultuous childhood, Jamie emanated love and joy. Even as her health declined, her steadfast faith and encouragement uplifted everyone in our group. Jamie taught us that you don't need a prestigious title to inspire—you simply need to live authentically and lovingly.

In recalling Hebrews 10:24-25, I'm reminded of our call to spur each other on through love and good deeds. Jamie's life exemplified this beautifully, and her presence enriched our community immeasurably.

Take a moment today to reflect on who inspires you. How do they spur you towards love and good deeds? Let's share these reflections with our communities and continue to foster inspiration among us.