Lessons from a dogsled

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

At first glance, dog sledding may seem like a pretty simple endeavor. Dogs are harnessed to a sled, they run, and pull the sled. But in reality, there is so much more to it than that. Dogs have to be taught various commands, they have to learn to work together as a team, and gain stamina to run long distances.

Dogs can’t be trained in isolation. They need to be trained as a group to work as a team to follow the lead dog and to obey the musher – the rider on the sled who tells the team when to go, turn, and stop.

When dogs are harnessed together, they motivate each other to keep going and to use all their power to get through long journeys together.

Some Christians try their hand at being a lone wolf, living their faith privately and individually, but that’s not what we were created to do. As you read in Hebrews 10, you are called to gather with other believers regularly.

When you gather in community with other believers you learn together to hear the voice of the one who leads you in mission. You are able to work as a team to accomplish the purposes God intends for you. And you spur each other on to love and good works.

At different times in your life, gathering may look a little different that you expect, but we’re blessed to live in a time when even if physical proximity isn’t possible, technology allows us to stay connected to others.

And as you do this, you will be given encouragement to continue to run the race before you.

Prayer Challenge

Ask God to show you how you can spur others on to “love and good works” this week. Thank Him for the privilege of meeting with other Christians to worship and study His Word.

Questions for thought

Why is it impossible to sustain a healthy Christian walk as a “lone wolf”?

Why do you think the writer says that gathering with others is even more important as you see “the day of his return… drawing near”?