Give Me A Break–Please!

I wonder what would have happened to Paul if it hadn’t been for Barnabas. Paul had been marvelously converted on the road to Damascus, but his fierce and frightening reputation as a persecutor of the church understandably kept the believers from fully embracing him.

Every time Paul tried to join the fellowship, he was treated like he had the plague. But then Barnabas showed up and took a chance with Paul. He came alongside this new convert, put his own reputation on the line, vouched for the authenticity of Paul’s conversion, and literally walked him by the hand into a meeting with the Apostles. As we now know, Paul ultimately became the all-time greatest theologian, evangelist and driving force of the church, but it was Barnabas who gave him his start.

We first met Barnabas back in Acts 4:35-37. Actually, his name was Joseph, but he had such a reputation for showing up and helping at just the right time that the Apostles nicknamed him Barnabas—which means, “son of encouragement.”

What a reputation to have! And what a needed ministry in the church today! There are probably a number of folks like Paul, trying to live down less than stellar reputations, who need to “draft” behind the reputation of someone like Barnabas for awhile.

Perhaps you can think of someone in your church, class or small group who just can’t seem to catch a break. Their reputation precedes them, and as a result, the group is reluctant to fully embrace them. What might happen if you came alongside them, like a Barnabas to a Paul, and poured your encouragement into their life. You never know, you just might release greatness in the next Paul!

So give ‘em a break, please!

“Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you.” ~William Arthur Ward

Reflect and Apply: Ask the Lord to show you where you need to risk an investment of encouragement in someone’s life today.