In our daily Bible reading, we have been studying the text of 1st Thessalonians. Paul has been encouraging this infant church how to live ethical lives among people who are immoral and perverse in the 1st Century world. After he reminds them of their need to live in order to please God and gives instructions on right moral living, he tells them of the Lord's eminent return. In view of His return he says, therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

While reading, I came across a news article of two star runners, Gail Devers and Ludmila Enquist. Both of these women have won many medals for there victories in running high hurdles and most recently came in first and third respectively, Devers winning with in world record time.

But what struck me is the way these two were shown in at the finish, arms locked, hugging each other. You see, both of these ladies suffer from serious illnesses, but went on to compete and win. Devers suffers from Graves disease and came close to having her foot amputated. Enquist has cancer and ran in spite of enduring chemotherapy treatments.

After the race, Devers embraced Enquist and said, "I'm so proud of you." After that, they took a victory lap together.

Christian people are in the race of their lives with heaven as their goal. Take the time to embrace someone along the way and tell them, "I'm so proud of you!" You never know what a great source of encouragement those few words might be. Therefore, encourage one another!