“More men fail through ignorance of their strength than fail through knowledge of their weakness.”
— Unknown

Last night I spent quite a bit of time thinking and writing about the quote above. This morning I got to my computer, selected it all, and hit the delete key.

The angle that I was looking at it from last night was one of comparing my strengths with those of others. To other writers. To other carpenters. To others who have walked in the ministry of God. Does God compare me to Langston Hughes? Or to Frederich Buechner? Or to Bob Villa?

But this morning I woke up with Philippians 2:3 running through the front of my mind –
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”

For me, I think God wanted me to do one thing: be aware of how I am ignorant of the strengths of others by focusing on their weaknesses, by focusing on first impressions, by judging them. He wanted me to focus on being of encouragement. What it is about is seeing others as better because of their unique strengths that God has given them, helping others to use their strengths. When I do not help others to recognize or be confident in their God-given abilities, I fail my Lord and Savior. Encourage others to recognize what God has blessed them with, even when they struggle to do so. And no, that isn’t always easy. Some do not want to be encouraged, but that does not mean I stop trying. If I truly see another through God’s eyes, really see their God-given potential, why would I stop reaching out to them?

Personally, I am blessed by so many who have encouraged me by their words pointing to my abilities. (Thank you so much). Were it not for those words, I doubt I would continue to write. This morning I reignited my purpose in writing – to encourage others. In encouraging others, I have found out a lot about myself along the way. In giving I have received.

Colossians 2:2-3 –
“My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

WOW! So much comes from simple encouragement!
—

In His service,
Keith