Hebrews 10:24

I'm usually not one for the whole "translation #1 vs. translation #2" debate. Or worse the, "I like this version better" thing that people do these days. But this is one verse where I am going to make an exception.

This is Hebrews 10:24 in the New Living Translation:
"Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds."

I love that! First off, the "think of ways" immediately screams creativity to me and that's right down my alley. This seems like we're being encouraged to think outside the box. Don't just give someone a Hallmark card encouragement, think of something special. Something that will really encourage them personally, where they are at and with the challenges they are facing in their lives.

And encourage them to what? Outbursts of love and good deeds! I love that even more. Outbursts of love? Awesome. Encourage people to the point that they are just bursting at the seams with love and good will towards their fellow man. I think that's an incredible image. So powerful. So enthusiastic. We should always love in outbursts. Humans are drawn to people that love like that. But to encourage people in such a way that they go on to love like that? That's even more challenging. An outburst. You literally can't restrain yourself from loving that person. Wow.

Websters defines "outburst" as "a violent expression of feeling". And before you get the wrong image, "violent" is defined as "marked by extreme force or sudden intense activity". So keep your negative connotations to yourself on that one. Violent doesn't have to be harmful or painful, just sudden and intense.

But back to the translation thing, and why I'm on this verse tonight. The NIV has this:

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."

Not bad. Definitely more cerebral and probably more technically accurate to the words used. But the NLT isn't about word for word translation, it's about capturing the essence and meaning of a passage. Which is why I find this difference of translation so interesting. Because in this case, the essence is definitely the more potent expression of the message. In fact, I know that I've read it before in the NIV but it wasn't until I stumbled across it tonight that it actually took root.

So go and try to live this verse in your life. It's one of my favorites now.

p.s. I will be posting an update about my time in Haiti soon, so stay tuned for that. Frankly, even though I've been back a week, I've only just begun to process what that trip means for my life.