A feeling of anticipation pulsated through the air like an approaching electrical storm. It seemed the whole Bay Area stood poised on the brink of something momentous that October. The year was 2010 and the San Francisco Giants were headed to the World Series. It had been over 50 years since they’d won the title and a rabid fan base was ready to cheer them on to victory. It seemed impossible not to get caught up in the euphoria.
Prior to that, I’d been a casual fan at best—content to attend a game once a season for the fun of experiencing AT & T Park with our young sons. Sometimes I’d scan the headlines in the sports section to see how the Giants fared, but I didn’t think much about them beyond that. However, in the fall of 2010 I found myself joining the throngs that rallied around the boys in black and orange. Names of players previously unknown to me rolled off my tongue with ease. On game nights, the TV stayed on through dinner, a rarity in our household. I reveled in the fun of catch phrases like “Fear the Beard”—a reference to relief pitcher Brian Wilson’s dyed black beard. I sang along with everyone else when Ashkon Davaran re-wrote Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” to be an anthem for the Giants.
And, of course, I got swept up in the emotion and exuberance of watching them take home the title. I’d been spurred on by the enthusiasm that surrounded me and gleefully rode the wave to victory with them. But once the season ended, my interest waned. It had been fun while it lasted, but I didn’t stay invested in the Giants much after that.
If you’re a fickle sports fan like me, you know this is typical behavior. But, when it comes to our spiritual lives, it’s best to maintain a more consistent commitment. I think the author of Hebrews says it well, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25, NIV)
Depending on the translation, the term “spur on” is written in a variety of ways: “stir up,” “provoke,” “stimulate,” “motivate.” In each case, the idea is the same–we can’t fan the flames of our faith all on our own. Let’s be honest. Life is full and busy and there are dozens of things competing for our attention. If we want to continue growing and pursuing God consistently, we’re going to need others to help us stay motivated. The author of Hebrews gives us a clear explanation of what that includes.
Love: We need other believers to remind us what biblical love is and to model how to practice it. The world likes to tell us that love always feels good, but maintaining a biblical standard for love isn’t easy. Jesus told us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44). There’s nothing easy or fun about that. And Paul tell us, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NIV) Last time I checked, many of those qualities aren’t ones I default to naturally. I need others to keep me grounded in the truth of what love is. I bet you do too.
Good Deeds: I’m full of good intentions, but not always the best on follow through. Can you relate? Scripture tells us, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10, NIV) Time spent with fellow believers spurs us on by encouraging us to make doing good works a way of life. Think about how much can be accomplished when we join with others to show God’s love on an even larger scale. Countless organizations doing good in our world began with people who took this call seriously and invited others to join them.
Not Giving Up Meeting Together & Encouraging One Another: The Christian walk isn’t meant to be a solo journey. We need community to keep us encouraged. One of my favorite words in the Bible is “fellowship,” which comes from the Greek word “koinonia.” True fellowship flows naturally when we connect with God and one another simultaneously. But we can’t experience rich relationships if we’re not spending time with fellow believers. Watching sermons online, listening to podcasts, or even engaging in online “communities” are supplements, not substitutes. There just isn’t an equivalent alternative to face to face interactions if we want to experience deep fellowship, receive personal encouragement, and grow spiritually.
Seeing the Day Approaching: The verse concludes by reminding us that Jesus will return. We’re called to live expectantly, knowing the day will dawn when He’ll come back to reign over the earth. Here’s how Jesus explains it: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” (Matthew 25:31-32, NIV) Notice Jesus says, “when,” not “if.” Loving others and doing good deeds is how we build His kingdom now and prepare for His eventual return. We spur one another on because we know the end goal.
Without minimizing the reappearance of Jesus, I can’t help but think of the loyal Giants fans who watched and waited for decades to see them win a World Series. They were faithful to their team through good and bad seasons and never wavered in their support. May the same be true for us as we anticipate an event with much greater significance: the long-awaited return of our Savior.
I’ve included three songs with this post. Choose the one that resonates most with what you’re needing right now:
Enjoy “Come to the Table” by Sidewalk Prophets if you’d like to see the value and significance of meeting together.
Listen to “Even So Come” sung here by Chris Tomlin for encouragement about pressing on in our faith while we await Jesus.
Just for fun– if you missed the Giants Anthem in 2010 inspired by Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing,” you can watch it here.