“The Art of Provocation”

February 6, 2026 Daily Devotional:“The Art of Provocation”Hebrews 10:24 ​"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works." ​The heart of the matter ​In this modern technology world, the word "provoke" usually has a negative slant. We provoke an argument; we provoke a reaction. But the writer of Hebrews uses it as a holy calling.To "consider" means to observe closely or to study your friends, family, and community with the intentionality of an artist. It’s not just about showing up but it’s about looking for the "spark plugs" in someone else’s soul that need a little strike to catch fire. ​We live in an "individualized" era of faith where we often ask, "What am I getting out of this?" Life has a way of making us "curved inward." We worry about our own stress, our own to-do lists, and our own spiritual growth. Hebrews 10:24 flips the script and is a gentlebut firm correction. It suggests that part of your spiritual maturity is measured by your ability to catalyze the growth of someone else. It suggeststhat our own spiritual health is deeply tied to how we catalyze the growth of others. In thinking outward, you aren't just responsible for yourself; you are a steward of the potential in the person sitting next to you.​  ​​ Who in your life seems a bit weary or stagnant in their faith?  Take a moment to think of one person whose strengths have been dormant lately. Don’t just give a generic compliment. What specific "good work" are they uniquely gifted for?  What does that person need today? Sometimes it’s a word of encouragement, other times, it’s an invitation to serve together. Atext, a coffee, or a shared task can be the spark that restarts their engine. You are called to be a holy agitator. You are looking for the embers in someone’s heart that have grown cold and giving them the oxygen they need to become aflame of "love and good works" again.