Building One Another  

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11

Encouragement is Improv!

Dear Friend,  

My friend Chuck Miller used to talk about “holy flexibility,” the capacity to adjust what you are doing as the situation changes.

The art of encouragement takes such a holy flexibility because everyone we seek to encourage is a unique person in a particular set of circumstances.

One of the great concepts we learn in music and drama is “improv,” short for improvisation. Improv is the capacity to take a risk as you create the new, try something different, look for a new way.

Encouraging people is certainly an improv experience! Are you willing to take a risk and look for a way to encourage people? If you are, our Lord will love people through you!

When Jesus called Simon and Andrew to come fish for people, Simon and Andrew already knew that fishing is takes an improv mind, a willingness to adjust what you are doing.

Trust our Lord to help you and adopt the improv mind of one who fishes, who adapts what you are doing, as you look for ways to encourage the people in your life.

Joy to you - Stan

© Copyright 2022 E. Stanley Ott

Scripture from the ESV

1. Think of a time or two in your own life when someone encouraged you. What did they say or do that adjusted to your particular situation such that you actually were encouraged?
2. Consider a few of the people in your life who would appreciate some encouragement. What about each person and her or his situation is different and who might you encourage them differently - that is by thinking with an improv mentality?

.Tina Fey on Improv: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmafmRIeet0

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Lee and Stan on the podcast Pastors4Pastors https://www.buzzsprout.com/1160933/9938670-encourage-one-another.mp3?download=true.

The podcast on Youtube:  https://youtu.be/Pgv7M8aJKYs

Photo by Jordan Whitfield on Unsplash