The Encourager
By Carolyn Hulliberger
“When the church in Jerusalem got wind of this [the spreading of the good news of Jesus], they sent Barnabas to Antioch to check on things. As soon as he arrived, he saw that God was behind and in it all. He threw himself in with them, got behind them, urging them to stay with it the rest of their lives. He was a good man that way, enthusiastic and confident in the Holy Spirit's ways.”
By Carolyn Hulliberger
“When the church in Jerusalem got wind of this [the spreading of the good news of Jesus], they sent Barnabas to Antioch to check on things. As soon as he arrived, he saw that God was behind and in it all. He threw himself in with them, got behind them, urging them to stay with it the rest of their lives. He was a good man that way, enthusiastic and confident in the Holy Spirit's ways.”
Acts 11:22-23 (The Message)
Have you ever been blessed by an Encourager? Maybe it was a teacher, a parent, a pastor or a workplace mentor. Encouragers seek to build others up, to stretch their training, to motivate and praise another’s progress. They leave lasting impressions. Barnabas was just such a person. In fact, Barnabas wasn’t even his given name…it was the nickname he earned from the apostles. The name “Barnabas” translates to “Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36). Talk about an insight into a person’s character!Barnabas demonstrated strong faith, ministered with joy, and taught new believers. He didn’t stand on the sidelines “supervising”…the verse says he “threw himself in with them.” He was active in the building of the early church. Barnabas served with Paul on his first missionary journey. He also mentored John Mark, who wrote one of the gospels.
He is a great example to the rest of us, not only in how he encouraged, but what he encouraged. In a time of opposition, Barnabas urged the younger in the faith to stick with it for the rest of their lives. Sound familiar? Our times have plenty of opposition to Christ-followers, too. We would do well to prepare others in advance, so that the time of our greatest pain or hardest struggle is not the time to wrestle with a faith in Christ. From the very beginning, Barnabas intentionally urged others to stay faithful and resolve to obey God.
As this school year starts, let’s keep our eyes open to ways to throw ourselves in with others…to mentor, teach, inspire, and help prepare for the opposition that is always just around the corner.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Have you had a Barnabas in your life? What made that person’s influence special to you? Pray for ways to translate that influence on to someone else.
FURTHER READING:
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Along with caring for her husband, two children and the dog, Carolyn is an Office Representative for State Farm Insurance, serves in student ministry, and is the treasurer for Women’s Ministries.
