The Shed

I was cleaning out my shed the other day to reorganize, scale down, and get ready to move other things in for storage before winter. When I was compacting things, I had to organize tightly and to the ceiling. There were a few items that couldn't stand alone, or fit in some places because they were made of weaker material or were not in a convenient shape to store as organized as the other items. When I found little open areas, I was able to shove certain items into the holes and they were supported, able to stand up without leaning or falling.

The thought: this is supposed to be the Church. We are supposed to be so close to each other that we support each other no matter what shape we're in. There is no way the one that is weaker or of an inconvient shape should fall. If they are closely supported by all those around, they will not fall.

Of course, support means being there and available to support. Many "stronger" Christians don't sacrifice the time to be the support they should be. It's a sacrifice, but God has called us to "encourage each other in the Lord while it is called today". To stand, there needs to be support, i.e. encouragement and admonishment.

1 Thessalonians 5:
11Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing.
12Now also we beseech you, brethren, get to know those who labor among you [recognize them for what they are, acknowledge and appreciate and respect them all]--your leaders who are over you in the Lord and those who warn and kindly reprove and exhort you.
13And hold them in very high and most affectionate esteem in [intelligent and sympathetic] appreciation of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
14And we earnestly beseech you, brethren, admonish (warn and seriously advise) those who are out of line [the loafers, the disorderly, and the unruly]; encourage the timid and fainthearted, help and give your support to the weak souls, [and] be very patient with everybody [always keeping your temper].

Hebrews 13:3
13But instead warn (admonish, urge, and encourage) one another every day, as long as it is called Today, that none of you may be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [by the fraudulence, the stratagem, the trickery which the delusive glamor of his sin may play on him].