We all need a little encouragement once in a while.  Ok, those of us who live on words of affirmation need encouragement 100 times a day.  And, today’s Scripture tells us where to go when the need is great … to the Word of God (v. 4).

Recently, it has been a good exercise for me to think about how much God loves me.  I had never really thought about him cheering me on, as my earthly dad would.  But, God loves me and he loves you.  This statement rolls off the tongue - yes, but let it sink in. 

God’s love for his people was described well by Matt Chandler at youth camp last week.  He used the illustration of a child who is learning to walk.  When the child takes his or her first steps, the steps usually end in a fall, again and again, until one day he or she achieves greater balance.  But, the parent never says, “Oh, you can’t get it right.  You fall every time.”  No, the parent cheers on the child as if he or she has done something great, something worth capturing and celebrating.

Think of God in this light, as a parent who doesn’t say to a child, “I can’t believe you just fell (in sin) again!” Rather, picture God cheering us on when we think of others higher than ourselves (v. 1), when we please our neighbors (v. 2), when we live in harmony (v. 5), when we show hospitality (v. 7).  God is celebrating our steps toward sanctification. 

I know we must strive for balance, because God does care about sin – so much.  And, our sins grieve him.  But, he celebrates our STEPS!  I don’t think about this enough.  He is there with a flip (video camera) in hand, watching, waiting, hoping that we’ll put one foot in front of the other. 

Today, I see him holding out his hands, calling us by name, asking us to come, to walk in newness of life!  He’s cheering us on, “You can do it, come on .. come on …”