Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Who are the greatest influencers in your life? Family? Friends? Coworkers? Neighbors? Or are they politicians? Content generators? Social influencers? We have entered an unprecedented era in which the people who influence our behavior the most could easily be people we have never personally met and likely never will. While we may identify with them on some level of shared interest, belief or experience, there is no personal connection. And while there is potential good in the resources that are now available to most people--the ability to access a wealth of information and learn about any topic--there is also unprecedented potential for harm and exploitation. What do the people who influence you the most “spur you on toward”? Is it personal growth? Service? Vanity? Humility? Wealth? Generosity? Do they spur you on toward love, or toward fear? Toward hope, or despair? The writer of the letter to the Hebrews knew that human nature makes us susceptible to all kinds of influence. And he knew that to hold on to hope, we need two things: we need God, and we need one another. He encouraged his readers to—in chapter 10, verse 22—"draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance of faith,” and in verse 25, to “not give up meeting together.” And he knew that if we do these things, we might spur one another on toward love and good deeds. We might become the very evidence of hope—love in action. I am richly blessed, and have been throughout my life, to have faithful friends, followers of Christ, who spur me on toward love and good deeds, who by their examples of love and joy in service encourage me to act out my faith. They show me what it means to be more than receptacles for God’s grace. Instead, they show me how to serve as channels of God’s grace. So, friends, who spurs you on toward love and good deeds? And who might you spur on today? Let us pray: Loving God, you pour your grace into our lives not as an end in itself, but so that we might share your love with one another in action. As we go through this day, let us consider how your grace can flow freely through us, that we might spur one another on toward love and good deeds. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. Today’s devotion was written and read by Greta Smith. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

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