St Paul, in his missionary journeys around the Mediterranean in the First Century, usually had an assistant. Barnabus was one of these, and later Timothy took his place.
I have often wondered about this double-act. Paul comes across as an intense, driven man. I’m not sure he would have been easy to live with, and he rarely stayed in one place longer than a couple of years. Barnabus was called the “son of encouragement”. I like to think of him as a jolly, rather portly man, a good listener with an infectious chuckle. Paul shared the great truths of the Christian faith, Barnabus modelled their human face, showed the attractiveness of Christianity. I have met a number of Christians over the years who have prompted me to think “I wish I had what they have!”
That’s what Barnabus had. And it makes me consider the importance of encouragement in our lives. When we come up against problems, against opposition, we are often discouraged and down-hearted. We consider giving up the struggle, we wonder if we’re actually capable of doing whatever it is we’re attempting.
But encouragement comes like a refreshing drink – it restores our enthusiasm, it lifts our hearts. Remember the old advertisement – “Refreshes the parts other beers can’t reach”. That’s what encouragement does. It’s vital for our well-being, and we are drawn to those whose natural gift lies in encouragement – they are the glue in our fractured lives.
And maybe just occasionally, we stop and think “I wonder just what it is they’ve got, this thing I’d like to have. And for some of them, like Barnabus, it is the love and presence of Christ.
Bless you all
Jon