PROFILES —-
BARNABAS
SUPPORT BEAMS
Skyscrapers are breathtaking—incredible designs, magnificent scales, and solid as a rock in all kinds of weather. Yet we often don’t think about the structures inside these buildings that provide support every day to keep the skyscrapers functioning as they were designed to do. Support beams are critical for holding up huge towers and bracing them against anything that could threaten them.
So it is with people like Barnabas who encourage the body of Christ. They are the vital support beams of God’s church and mission. Barnabas consistently kept Paul, Mark, and other leaders from giving up, did what he could to keep conflict from destroying the church, and helped push God’s mission forward to reach people for Christ with the gospel in the early days of the church.
Although this is often a behind-the-scenes role away from center stage, doing small but meaningful things or speaking words of truth can encourage the souls of brothers or sisters in deep ways. The Holy Spirit uses people who are willing to do the backstage work of giving relational encouragement so that His church won’t give up on their faith or missional work. So don’t underestimate the strength of the support you can give by being an encourager!
THINK & PRAY
LIKE NOTHING ELSE
Jesus has told us that in order to follow Him, each of us will need to “give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24)—to turn from our ways, pick up our crosses, and counterculturally stop pursuing what the world pursues. The road of following Jesus is not easy.
With this as a realistic backdrop, we understand the crucial need for consistent, godly encouragement for all followers of Christ. Paul, Mark, and other leaders faced opposition, spiritual enemies, physical hardships, and emotional stress all through the book of Acts. It is no different for us today as we follow Christ and do His work. But what can push us through trials like nothing else? An intentional, Spirit-filled encourager like Barnabas. A person who is filled with the Holy Spirit and the truth can help clear a friend’s perspective, keep him or her from quitting, and most importantly, point that person’s eyes back to the worth and goal of Jesus.
God can use you today, just like He used Barnabas, to speak life, truth, and encouragement to people who are discouraged, depressed, or tired. Use your love and words to pick them up! You are crucial to the body standing strong in Christ.