Devotion: How to Call Out the Best In Others

“We rise by lifting others.” ~Robert Ingersoll

“When I grow up, I want to be like Judy,” I told my friend Chris. I was lamenting my lack of progress in transforming into the perfect woman of God I had imagined. “When God is done fixing me, I want to be calm, quiet, and wise like Judy.”

As I expressed my frustration, my sweet friend listened well as always, until the steady stream of words stopped and I paused to take a breath.

“Whatever God’s perfect plans are for you, Kelly, I can’t imagine they will involve you being calm and quiet,” she said gently, her eyes twinkling as she smiled at me. “Whatever God has planned for you will be the perfect match for your loud, enthusiastic, bubbling, passionate personality. God didn’t make you calm and quiet. He made you in a different way, and I’m so glad he did. You aren’t supposed to be like her; you are meant to be you.”

I have returned to that conversation repeatedly over the years. My friend reminded me God created me with a particular Kelly-shaped blueprint. He gave me particular strengths, talents, and personality traits unlike any other of his creations. While we are each made in the image of our God, we express the variety and beauty of that image in a myriad of ways. My job is to express the “Kelly-ness” of God.

It is tempting to look around and see others who seem to have what we want. I envied my friend Judy’s quiet wisdom and thoughtful demeanor, mistakenly believing it was “holier” than my naturally more ebullient style of communicating. Yet in the years since I received Chris’s encouragement, I have seen how God has been able to use my gifts in a different way, even as I learn from her quieter example. Judy and I ended up working together, and I saw firsthand how our styles complemented each other. God used our differences to build up his people in more ways than he might have had we been more alike.

My friend gave me a precious gift the day she chose to encourage me and name me well. She saw my unique gifts, affirmed God’s work in my life, and expressed her love and affection for me–the real me, the person God made like no other.

We have enormous potential to speak grace and encouragement into one another’s lives simply by paying attention and sharing the truth about each other. When we call out the best in one another, we hear God’s voice more clearly. The kingdom is made stronger. We rise by lifting others.

Lord, help us to remember you created us to live in intimate connection with one another. We are wired to need one another, and we are most courageous in the context of community. Help us to be the voice of encouragement in the lives of our loved ones. Remind us we are each made in your image, and therefore we are each a masterpiece in progress. You made each of us with unique gifts, and every one of those qualities is part of your perfect plan to bring your kingdom to earth. Nudge us when we have the opportunity to lift one another up. Help us to hear your voice in the voices of others.

Scripture for Reflection

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT)

“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27 NIV)

Reach for More

This week’s challenge is to pay attention. Watch your friends and loved ones, notice their strengths, and encourage them by sharing with them the things you see. Cheer for your friends, name them brave, tell them the things you love about them and the ways in which you see God working in their lives. Be your loved ones’ biggest fan.

Friends, please come back and leave a comment telling us about a time someone encouraged you by lifting you up. Tell us how you tried to encourage a friend, how God spoke to you this week, or share your progress on social media using the hashtag #tgtreachformore. We would love to hear from you.

Kelly Johnson is a counselor, writer, speaker, and advocate. She leads a weekly Bible study and serves as chair of the board of directors at a local shelter for the homeless. Married to her high school sweetheart, she is the mom of two college-age daughters. Kelly writes about life, faith, and her newly empty nest at kellyjohnsongracenotes.com.