Be Like Barnabas

 

I went to visit an old friend of mine this week. We have known each other since kindergarten (over 60 years!) but haven’t seen each other much in recent years since we live half a country apart. I got ready for my visit by gathering up some old letters that my friend had written to me many years ago. I used to take all the letters I received and put them into a box to save. I still have the box after several moves and several decades. The letters bring me joy when I re-read them.

 

We live in a day of E-mails and text messages and Facebook posts. Letter writing has become a lost art. I like writing letters because they give me time to compose my thoughts and be more personal. I love to receive letters, even if they are just quick, scrawled out notes.

 

Among the early disciples was a man named Joseph, from Cyprus. He was such a source of encouragement to others that the apostles called him Barnabas, which means “Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36). He is referred to as Barnabas throughout Acts and Paul’s letters. What an honor to be of such value to others that they give you a new name, and a wonderful name at that!

 

We are called to lift up our fellow believers, to be Barnabas to them. If you can, write a letter of encouragement to someone this week, or several people if you have the time. It can be to your pastor, a family member or friend, a fellow churchgoer, or even someone you don’t know personally but think they could use some encouragement. It doesn’t have to be a long letter - a short note can still lift someone’s spirits. Encourage those you know to do the same.

 

When we lift each other up, we give witness to the fact that we are the Body of Christ. Let’s bless someone this week!

 

“Encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

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The individual posts in this blog have been collected into a book, Reflections From the Basic Truths Blog.  It is available for free as an ebook through Barnes and Noble, https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reflections-from-the-basic-truths-blog-james-yarmchuk/1147055811?ean=2940181202702, Apple Books, and multiple other book websites. It is available for a minimal charge on Amazon and can also be purchased as a paperback through them.