Encouragers

"But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus." Acts 9:27

There are not enough encouragers in this world. Barnabas had a reputation of being encouraging to everyone. His words, his tone, his demeanor, his wisdom and kindness and eventually, his very name became synonymous with encouragement. The lack of encouragers becomes painfully more obvious in seasons of discouragement. We currently live in a time of great discouragement, fear, suspicion, disillusionment, negativity, and meanness. Some of that comes from the general moral decline of our culture; some of it comes from the lack of fulfillment due to the religion of materialism. People are often depressed, blue, under the weather, sad, and forlorn. Mostly because of a lack of meaning and purpose. Nothing seems to meet the false sense of need, and the ache of futility in our hearts.

We thrive emotionally on 'bad news', the failure of individuals, the lack of civility, fascination with the 'uber rich', and the desperate search for 'happiness'. I say this a hundred different ways and I am going to say it again..... "as long as this type of stuff drives the marketplace of selling empty cures and diversions, it will not change." Advertising, media, technology distribution, and profiteering are deeply steeped in the psyche of the "new American Dream", which is almost nightmarish. What a breath of fresh air Barnabas would be. You know someone whose values were more based in truth than gossip, someone who would actually look you in the eyes and hear you out.

As Luke, (the author of Acts) tells this brief synopsis of what Paul told Barnabas, you can tell it is obviously the 'Reader's Digest' version. Can you imagine good ole encouraging Barnabas going to Paul and saying, "Hey brother, tell me about what happened to you?" Then just listening like a good encourager does. Barnabas was also wise. He could hear the sincerity of Paul's conversion experience and his newfound passion for the good news of Jesus. Barnabas could tell Paul's words came from his heart and that Paul did not have ulterior motives. I hope you have at least one Barnabas in your life. I also encourage all of us to be more like Barnabas, and give people a chance more often.

This passage closes with reference to a common bond that should encourage us all, the name of Jesus. This is indeed our strongest common bond, His Name, the Name at which every knee will bow, the Name of above all names. Those who are encouragers, like Barnabas always make it about Jesus. You see, once we find that common ground of Jesus and we can see Christ in each other, and it is then far easier to be encouraging. Also, when we let the Christ, who is in us, shine through with encouragement, then it is much easier to encourage. I sure appreciate Barnabas and those who have been like Barnabas in my life. He encouraged Paul. Oh how God used that.

Think about it,
Pastor Fred

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