“One of the main battles Christians face is discouragement. The Enemy knows it’s going to take a massive amount of courage to do what God has called us to do and become the person God has called us to be.”- Banning Liebscher
“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you — that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other.”- Romans 1:11-12 (ESV)
As Banning Liebscher concludes Chapter 12 of Rooted, he underscores that we must set up our lives to listen to those around us. Otherwise, if we pursue isolation, we can’t realistically expect God to speak to us apart from people. In addition, a spiritual father of Pastor Liebscher once told him: “God doesn’t bypass discipleship just because we don’t want to be in it.”
Thus, isolation produces discouragement. In fact, Banning posits, when you look at areas of your life where you often deal with discouragement, you’ll discover something quite interesting. Most likely, these represent key areas connected to God’s calling and purpose for your life.
Furthermore, more information and teaching fail to fill a huge deficit of courage. And to receive the courage to fulfill God’s calling, you must go after it. One way courage comes into your life is through community. “We feel powerless to over come weakness in ourselves,” Pastor Liebscher notes, “much less stand up to enemies outside of us. That’s why we need people to speak courage into our life . . .”
Finally, in his Conclusion (“Rooted in the Source”) to Rooted, the author inquires about the kind of legacy you desire. Although God chose and appointed you to bear fruit, it’s your choice to remain in Christ. Will you, Banning asks:
- let Him teach you to trust Him at all times, even in weakness?
- let Him plant you where He wants you?
- embrace His timeline for establishing your roots?
- put your roots down deep in the soils of intimacy, serving, and community?
Today’s question: What areas of your life produce the most discouragement? Please share.
Please note: the annotated bibliography of Rooted publishes on Thursday, May 31st
Tomorrow’s blog: “Escape from your own cleverness”
