Come together and stir it up

As we journey through life, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of our daily routines. Work, classes, responsibilities, and distractions often pull us in different directions. It makes things challenging to prioritize what truly matters. In Hebrews 10:24-25, we find a powerful reminder of the importance of gathering together:

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)

These verses emphasize two crucial aspects of our faith journey: stirring up one another to love and action and not neglecting the power of coming together.

Firstly, we are called to "stir up one another to love and good works." This means that when we come together in our relationships and interactions with others, there should be a dynamic interchange that occurs. Our words and actions should “stir up” hopes, faith, and love in others. We have the power to “continue the teaching and healing of Jesus” that inspires and encourages each other to love more deeply and engage in acts of kindness, justice and service. It's easy to become complacent in our faith when we walk the path alone. The demands of life can overwhelm even the most seemingly capable person. The writer of Ecclesiastes faced the same dilemma and shares how to make it through:

“A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT)

This passage points us to the second and most crucial component: when we gather together, we have the opportunity to challenge and inspire one another to live out the love and good works that Christ calls us to. Together, we can share in life’s journey, and we can guide someone who doesn’t know how to move forward. When someone is down, another can lift them up. It is a fact of life that sharing an experience together always makes it better.

There is also a warning embedded in our passage. It warns against neglecting to gather together, as some are prone to do. It acknowledges that there may be a temptation and proclivity to withdraw from community, especially when life becomes busy or challenging.

However, the author of Hebrews reminds us of the importance of encouragement. When we gather together, we are not only encouraged by the presence of others, but we also have the privilege of encouraging others.

The metaphor of a smoldering fire comes to mind. When a fire is left unattended, it gradually dies out. But when we gather together in response to Jesus’ example, we can breathe life into each other, reigniting the flames of faith, hope, and love.

Lastly, Hebrews tells us to gather together "all the more as you see the Day drawing near." As followers of Jesus, we believe in the imminent return of Christ. In these uncertain times, our faith and hope are anchored in the promise of His coming. Gathering together becomes even more vital as we anticipate the day when we and the world are re-made into just what God intended it to be. It's a reminder that we are not alone in our journey; we have an LLUH community of people striving to live and love like Jesus to walk alongside each other as we await the fulfillment of God's promises.

So let no one walk alone through our clinics, hospitals, dorms, or classrooms. Let’s come together and stir things up!

—Terry Swenson, DMin, is director of University Spiritual Care.