The Proverbial Elbow Jab...

"Let us consider how we may spur one another toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching." - Hebrews 10:24-25

I just had coffee with an old friend who was home for the holidays. I hadn't seen him in at least two years, and not only was it good to catch up with him and see what he's up to, it was really a blessing to hear him talk about the amazing ways God is working in his life. It seems a rare thing to see someone genuinely excited about Jesus, to hear someone speak in actual anticipation of what God is doing. Here. Right now. In real life.
The conversation was a breath of fresh air. I left feeling encouraged, challenged, and more excited about what God is doing in my life and in the lives of people around me. I left with an increased desire to be in God's word. I left hoping that I bless and encourage people with my words the same way I was just blessed and encouraged.
My aforementioned coffee friend "spurred me towards love and good deeds," you could say. My Koine Greek is a little rusty so I can't tell you precisely what kind of word picture the writer of Hebrews had in mind when he wrote that verse. I did, however, check out a few other versions and found translators also using the verbs provoke, stir, encourage, stimulate, incite, motivate, and promote in place of the word "spur."
All interesting words, no? They don't all necessarily imply mere gentle suggestions. I mean, spurs - the literal kind...worn on cowboy boots...to make horses run fast - are a little uncomfortable. That's why they are effective. Now, if the horse is receptive the cowboy only needs to tap the horse with the spurs, and the horse goes, and the cowboy lays off with the spurs, right? But if the horse is stubborn, or distracted, or lazy, the cowboy's going to have to "spur" a little harder. It's going to be less comfortable.
The other interesting verb in that verse is "consider." We're not just instructed to spur people, we're told to "consider how." Give it some thought. Roll is around in your brain a bit. Think about different ways to do the "spurring." Some of us are motivated, stirred and provoked in different ways than other people. I, for instance, am the stubborn horse most of the time. I take a lot of poking. A lot of prodding. A lot of elbow jabs. And I am very grateful for my friends who are not afraid to elbow jab me on occasion.