A Sweet Reunion
Everyone else seemed to fade away as I wrapped my arms around my long-term friend
Reference: The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. (Acts 28:15 NIV)
Explore: I was recently in one of our local shopping centres and got a wonderful surprise. I had done all my shopping and was heading back to the car when I saw Nicola.
Nicola was my closest friend at university and has since lived overseas and now interstate. While we keep in touch via Facebook and phone, we don’t get many opportunities to catch up.
To see her standing there, less than 10 metres away, made my heart rejoice! I ran over and, although we were in a busy shopping centre, everyone else seemed to fade away as I wrapped my arms around my long-term friend. While we only had a few minutes catch up, this chance meeting lifted my spirits and carried me through the day.
Application: Our presence can make a significant impression on someone else. At each encounter, we have the ability to lift someone up or bring them down.
Paul had been imprisoned for a number of years and then endured a horrific sea voyage. To see some dear friends, who had travelled a long way to visit him, brought encouragement to him.
We all have the opportunity to be an encouragement to someone else. A positive person can make a big difference in our lives, let’s find more ways to have a positive impact in someone else’s life too.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for bringing special people into our lives. Help us to go out of our way to encourage others. Amen.
Who can you be an encouragement to today?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.