And by this I mean YOU! I know, I was never a cheerleader in high school or college either (I fell more in the creative nerd category) but that doesn’t exempt anyone.
Each of us is a cheerleader for someone, or should be if we are not. If you are married you should be a cheerleader for your spouse, as a parent you cheer on your kids. Even in our friendships, and especially in ministry we should be cheerleaders for others. We cheer on our favorite sports teams so why not those who are important in our lives?
I was reading the other day in John 3:22-30. John was baptizing people and not too far away Jesus was doing the same. Jesus was just beginning His public ministry and people were drawn to him…and away from John. His followers were somewhat alarmed, and spoke to John about it. John’s response?
He must become greater; I must become less.
John 3:30
John was not jealous of Jesus because He was attracting more people than John. John knew what his call was and Jesus was the culmination of all John had been teaching. His full reply was this:
“A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.” John 3:27-29
Not only was John not jealous of Jesus, he was Jesus’ biggest cheerleader. John was excited that Jesus, the promised Messiah had come and John was given the privilege to announce Him to the world.
Have you ever thought of cheering someone on as a privilege? Maybe those you want to cheer for, but what about your competition? Yes, your competition.
I sometimes find myself seeing the blogs and Facebook pages of other authors and the thousands of people following them and it’s easy to envy their popularity and the lives they are touching. That envy can quickly turn to whining and sulking about how I want to be like them.
But God doesn’t call me to be like them. Often He calls me to pray for them and their ministries. After all, drawing others to Christ should never be a competition. We are all in this together!
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…
1 Thessalonians 5:11
The truth is that we don’t know the impact we are making for God’s kingdom by praying for others, sending a note, or cheering them on. If that is what God calls us to do He expects us to do it cheerfully and with spirit! When we are faithful to being in the background God can be sure we will be ready when He calls us to step out into a more public position.
Be ready to be a cheerleader for anyone God calls you to. You have no idea how pleased you will make Him.
After all, isn’t pleasing God what it’s all about?
blessings & peace to you today!
Paula
Paula Davis 