Lately I’ve been thinking that our steady habit of listening to the experts, best-selling authors and speakers, might not be as important for our spiritual growth as we suppose it is. Don’t get me wrong—it’s a pleasure to bring in guest speakers on occasion and we can benefit from what they have to say. But in the ordinary everydayness of life, who is the woman that truly teaches and inspires us the most?

 

She is that mother, sister, friend, co-worker, who rolls up her sleeves and comes alongside to help. Her faithfulness to live out the gospel in her life is evident. She is the one who invites you into her life and cheers you on in yours!

 

Stir up one another.

 

This is what the writer of Hebrews had in mind where it says, “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise. Let us think of ways to stir up one another to acts of love and good works” (Hebrews 10:23-24).

 

In older Bible translations, the phrase is provoke unto love. We think of provoking someone as being irritating or offensive—but the original sense was to “arouse, excite, call into action.” We need more of this in the church, and not just from the platform.

 

One pastor put it this way: “What if we were better at ‘one-anothering” one another?

 

But what does that look like? As women, we can do this by simply sharing life with each other. Making space for listening and learning from each other, and praying together. That’s the beauty of belonging to a small group. That’s the joy of learning and serving together, side by side and one on one. That’s the lifelong privilege of being there for one another in the good times and through the hard places.

 

Imagine a world where people are skeptical of what Christians believe but curious because of the way we live and treat each other—and how well we “one another” them too? Surely this is what Jesus taught us to do, letting our light shine (Matthew 5:16). We all have this need for community and accountability.

 

So let me ask those of you who are young, whether in years or in faith, who is speaking into your life? Do you have a teachable spirit? Are you willing to listen and learn?

 

And for those more mature in years or your faith, whose life are you speaking into? Do you still have a teachable spirit? Are you willing to be transparent and available?

 

We need each other!

 

Together let’s share our God-given gifts and abilities to be the hands and feet of Jesus, serving and loving each other well.

 

“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).