Devotion 3: What Kind of Stir Stick Are You?

Let me start with a simple question. When you walk into a room or a church gathering, what happens to the atmosphere? Do things get warmer, more encouraging, more faith-filled, or do people quietly brace themselves? That question sits right at the heart of what Scripture calls us to in community.

Hebrews 12:25 says, “See that you do not refuse him who is speaking.” That’s a strong warning. God is speaking through His Word, through His Spirit, and yes, even through His people. The danger isn’t just outright rebellion; sometimes it’s quiet indifference. We hear, but we don’t respond. We show up, but we don’t engage.

That’s where Hebrews 10:24–25 fits perfectly into this conversation: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works... encouraging one another.” Gathering as the church isn’t meant to be a passive experience. It’s not a weekly event where we sit, consume, and leave unchanged. It’s a living, breathing community where we actively stir one another toward love, obedience, and good works. That raises the question, “What kind of stir-stick are you?”

I love coffee a lot! Typically, when you make a cup of black coffee, you just drink it, but some people like to stir in creamer, milk, and/or sugar. What would happen if I stirred in lemon juice instead? The stir-stick doesn't know the difference; it just stirs. When we taste the coffee, we will for sure know the difference! In life, some people stir with encouragement, hope, and grace. Others stir up frustration, gossip, criticism, or division. Both are stirring, but only one reflects the heart of Christ.

Hebrews chapter 12 reminds us that God is speaking truth that is meant to shape us, correct us, and move us toward maturity. When we refuse to listen, when we ignore His voice, we often default to stirring in unhealthy ways. When we’re attentive to Him, our words and actions start to line up with His heart.

Encouragement isn’t about flattery or pretending everything’s fine. It’s about pointing people back to the truth. It’s reminding someone they’re not alone. It’s calling out God’s work in their life when they can’t see it themselves. Sometimes encouragement is gentle, and sometimes it’s challenging, but it is always loving.

So, here’s an honest reflection: when you engage with the church—your growth community, Sunday gathering, conversations—are you stirring people closer to Jesus? Or are you unintentionally stirring discouragement, distraction, or disunity? God is speaking. He’s calling His church to gather with purpose, to engage with intention, and to stir one another toward love and good works. Let’s be the kind of people who don’t refuse His voice and who help others hear it more clearly, too. The church doesn’t just gather to sit still. We gather to stir.