And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
The white linen draped the table. Eleven simple yet elegant place settings welcomed us into the room. Aware that some would be missing tonight, we began introductions. California, Texas, Florida, South Carolina, and Michigan present for our Inaugural Links Ladies Golf Trip.
Over a delicious meal, I watched and listened in awe—a long time waiting for Links Players International. A vision our beloved Jeff Hopper and I had more than six years ago.
My role was to show up, share a few encouraging words, lead a golf clinic, and play golf. Our National Links Women’s Director, Meredith Kirk, and travel director, Barbara, did the hard work behind the scenes.
Over four days, fellowship leaders from different locations cross-pollinated stories with laughter and tears, encouraged a few to start a new fellowship at their club, and all caught the vision to nurture and grow more opportunities for women to lock arms in changing the conversations at their golf clubs.
Many of you practice gathering with a Links Fellowship during the week. What a gift! I assume it is a time when you stir one another to love and good works, encouraging one another. If you are not in the habit of gathering, please be encouraged to find a Links Fellowship and begin participating. If there is no ladies’ fellowship in your area, pray for others to join you.
I understand that the answer to this question is not as easy as it sounds. Gathering together in small groups of people might feel intimidating, or maybe the idea drains you of energy (I will raise my hand). It’s okay; you’re not alone. For the social humans out there, maybe not prioritizing time for intentional gathering reigns at the top of your list.
In our individualized culture, especially post-COVID, we scurry through the day checking off our to-do lists at home and work, we over-commit, comparison keeps us isolated, and in ministry, we serve the Lord to exhaustion. Days, weeks, and months flash before our eyes. We can feel alone in a sea of people.
Gathering together to stir one another up to love and good works is not about doing more for the Lord. Rather, it is a pathway to becoming “the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” (2 Corinthians 2:15).
Intentional community helps sharpen and deepen our faith. Purposeful gathering together opens a gateway to be seen and known by others, a God-given longing of our souls.
The Day of the Lord is drawing closer…let us not neglect our need to meet together and encourage one another.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for both Men’s and Ladies Links Fellowships that provide purposeful and intentional gathering places. Help me to find a purposeful and intentional community where mutual encouragement stirs me to love and good works.