Acts 20 | Encouragement in GoodbyesSample

The Need for Encouragement

Paul preached the gospel, and people devoted their lives to Jesus.

The euphoria in the early days of conversion can lead to the notion that being a disciple of Jesus is easy. But when the initial honeymoon turns into the daily grind of life, you realize that life is hard, and being a disciple of Jesus can be hard, too.

Being a disciple of Jesus is more than just knowing what Jesus taught. It is radically pursuing a deeper relationship with him. To be a disciple is to want to be like Jesus. Being a disciple of Jesus isn’t an endpoint; it is a journey through a process of spiritual formation. It can be messy. It can be hard. It can be confusing. This is why we think church should be about people helping each other on the journey. Each of us is called to pour into another as we were poured into by someone else. When we do, it leads to deep bonds. This makes it all the harder when we have to say goodbye.

In Acts 20, Paul is heading to Jerusalem. He knows he isn’t going to return, and is saying his final goodbyes to the believers in Troas and Ephesus. Paul is like a parent launching a child into the world. He warns them of the hardships they will face, but reminds them of what they have learned and encourages them that Jesus will give them what it takes to continue on and places them in God’s hands.

Encouragement helps us face that which we don’t want to face. It fuels perseverance in times when it would be easier to give up. It validates our works and efforts when we wonder whether we’re making any difference. It creates bonds rather than severing them, even if life circumstances separate us physically. Encouragement is part of discipleship.

Today, read the story of Paul’s goodbyes in Acts 20. Look for the ways the believers encourage each other. Who can you encourage in the hope and strength of Christ today? Trust your instinct, and do it!