Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 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 10:23-25

Welcome Back Wednesday Beach Party 

For me, this week’s Wednesday evening was pretty much a microcosm of life in general at Wake Forest Presbyterian Church and what it means to live out the words from Hebrews 10, above.

As the official first Wednesday of (post Memorial Day) summer, and with a decent weather forecast back when plans were made, what could be better for a community excited about this slow-motion return to life together – “as you see the Day approaching” – than reimagining Wednesday Night Dinner on the grounds as a “BEACH PARTY”!!!!!

So of course it rained. It rained hard and it rained all evening.

But did that stop the enthusiasm? No! People showing up, regardless; volunteers guiding cars through the red cones to pick up “to-go” dinners; a spirit of fun and love and community; this overwhelming sense that “We are together” and “We will make this work” and “We are so grateful”!

• Because, in a sense, “The Day” isn’t just approaching, it’s already here!

Later, meeting with the Wednesday evening men for our first in-person small group gathering after 15-months of ZOOM Bible studies, I looked around the table and I just had to smile.

• Men shaking off the torrential rain and showing up regardless;
• Down the hall, two more of my guys were with a room full of more than a dozen enthusiastic people planning the 2021-2022 confirmation class;
• Downstairs, the food ministry team were cleaning up;
• Over in the sanctuary, the chancel choir were rehearsing;
• There were others on the campus too, all bringing their faith and their commitment to bear on the ministry initiatives that make this church so vibrant and strong.

What I saw – especially in the way people responded to the Beach Party Wash-out – was strong evidence of, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds…”

Other translations use words like “Provoke to love and good works,” “encourage one another,” “stir up,” “spark,” “promote,” “rouse,” “motivate,” and this one in The Message, “Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love.”

Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love.

That is a good word for today.

In love, and because of love – DEREK