For I Am Your Greatest Encourager
April 4
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”
I began playing the tuba in 5th grade and continued playing it for the next eleven years. There are a lot of different memories centered around playing the tuba - including playing it in Ukraine during a two week mission trip my junior year of college. One memory with my tuba, however, stands out above all the rest. That memory is playing in the All-State Band when I was in high school. My band teacher was a good guy and always an encourager. During my freshman year, he encouraged me to try out for the All-State Band. After a couple of months of hard work, the day of tryouts finally came. I thought my audition went well, but at the end of the day, my name was not on the list to play in the All-State Band. I was disappointed, but brushed it off pretty quickly as there “aren’t many freshmen that make the All-State Band.”
At the start of my sophomore year, the band director again talked to me and encouraged me to try out for the All-State Band. I agreed pretty quickly, convinced this was going to be the year I would make it, and began a couple of months of hard and dedicated practice. Like my freshman year, the result was the same. I did not make the band. My disappointment was more pronounced than the year before, and I told my director I wasn’t auditioning next year. True to form, my director approached me at the start of my junior year again encouraging me to audition. I told him “no” I wasn’t going through the humiliation again. Over the next couple of weeks, he continued encouraging me, and I eventually went through with the audition.
This time, I was on the recall list. The judges wanted to hear my audition again. I was nervous, but I played well. Upon putting away my instrument, I realized I had played the wrong scale! I was beyond devastated. Immediately, I just knew this would be the third year of trying and failing…and I was right. I was humiliated. I was frustrated and angry. I couldn’t believe I wouldn’t be going again to the All-State Band. Who else tries for three years, and for three years in a row doesn’t make it? I resolved that night I would not “waste” time and energy on practicing my senior year.
Well - for nearly the first month of my senior year, the band director encouraged me daily to try out. I was resolute in my decision of not auditioning (and being humiliated) again. But, in the end, my band director’s patience and encouragement got through to me, and I tried out one final time. This was the year I made it to the All-State Band! I was thrilled. Finally, I had made it, and playing in the band was a great experience. So many lessons learned from trying and failing, but what I remember most is my band director’s encouragement and refusal to give up on me. He saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself at the time.
How much more does my Heavenly Father encourage me. I am reminded of His encouragement in countless ways when I am daily in His word. Over and over, I read about the depth of His love and forgiveness. I read stories of His care and concern and how He desires to bless me. His words of encouragement and hope fill the pages of the Bible. Yes, I am a sinner. Yes, I am daily in need of His grace and forgiveness. Yes, He is always there with me, walking by my side sustaining and uplifting me. He tells me to be strong and courageous. He tells me not to be afraid or discouraged because He will be with me wherever I go (Joshua 1:9). The phrase “do not be afraid” appears in the Bible 365 times - a daily reminder of His presence and encouragement. When I seek God and walk with Him, I have all the encouragement I need.