Build people up!!!

'Edify one another.' 1 Thessalonians 5:11

God likes building things. At least, I assume He does based on the satisfaction He expressed after creating the universe and the ongoing pleasure He takes in creation. He also talks about His work with His people as a type of building, and He invites us to join Him in building each other up.

The word 'edify' means 'to build up, strengthen, encourage and motivate'. There are probably people in your life right now who need someone to speak blessing over them. You don't know how much it will mean when you give them your approval and let them know you are proud of them and that you think they can do great things. Everyone needs to be edified.

So, what kind of seeds are you planting in your children, in your husband or wife, in your friends? Do you believe in them? Have you let them know? Are you taking an interest to find out how you can improve their lives? Have you listened to their dreams? Have you found out what they believe God has put in their heart? Have you let them know that you're behind them? That's what an edifier does!

Henry Ford was introduced to Thomas Edison as 'the man trying to build a car that runs on gasoline'. When Edison heard it, he said, 'A car that has its own power plant; that's a brilliant idea.' Until then, no one had encouraged Ford, and he had just about decided to give up. And then Edison stepped in, who spoke faith into him. That was a decisive moment in Henry Ford's life. He said, 'I thought I had a good idea, but I started to doubt myself. Then along came one of the greatest minds that's ever lived and gave me his complete approval.' You don't understand the power you hold or how much it means when you tell somebody, 'I believe in you. You have what it takes. I'm behind you 100 per cent.'

The word “peace” means to “join or bind together that which has been separated.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said: “The followers of Jesus have been called to peace. When He called them, they found their peace, for He is their peace. But now they are told that they must not only have peace but make it.” Jesus said in Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God.” I find it interesting that Jesus didn’t tell us to be “peacekeepers,” but instead “peacemakers.” This could be translated as “peace workers.” It takes effort to bring conflict to an end. When we work at resolving conflict we are doing what God does.

You may not be in ministry or on the mission field, but as long as you are interacting with people, it’s important to reflect upon whether you are using people to achieve a goal you have, or whether you are building up the people God has placed in your life. If you supervise people, do you see them as people who exist to serve you and the company? Or do you see your role as an opportunity to mentor those who work under you into more mature men and women? In your neighbourhood or apartment complex, do you evaluate people primarily by what they can do for you, or do you look for opportunities to meet their needs?

As followers of Jesus, we are called to love our neighbours, to meet the needs of those around us as Jesus has served us. Consider today how you can use the circumstances of your life to build people instead of using them.

When we learn to build others up instead of tearing them down, we encourage with the hope of the Gospel and the love of Christ!