Circuit Thoughts

Acts 9:26-27 tells a story all to itself. In just these two verses we see the kind of man Saul wants to be and the kind of man Barnabas is. Saul is trying to meet the disciples. He has had a conversion experience that would blow their minds. The apostles however remember the guy who tried to have them arrested. Up steps Barnabas, and he brings him to the disciples and introduced him as a convert to Christianity. Barnabas even describes the way Saul had to be removed from Damascus.

Saul, who would later go by his Greek name Paul, went on to become the apostle to the Gentiles. Before that could happen, there had to be one person who believed in him, and that person was Barnabas.

I know that there has been a Barnabas to show up in my life more than once. One of you reading this article may be that very Barnabas. To be a Barnabas is to be a mentor, guide, encourager, and herald. The mentor to instruct, the guide to show the right path, the encourager to encourage and the herald to introduce. Barnabas did that for Paul.

Do you remember who your Barnabas was? Perhaps it was that teacher who encouraged you to continue your studies. Maybe it was that counselor at camp who helped you know Christ. A Barnabas could have been that one who was willing to give you a second chance after you goofed up so bad.

But, more importantly, have you been a Barnabas? Yes, you can be and may have been a Barnabas. Barnabas was just a guy who saw the best in people and wanted them to be what God called them to be. We can do the same, it just takes a bit of effort and paying attention.

Today we have many young people who are not going to church. We have moms who must slug it out alone in the world, and men who have no direction. Our children tend to get lost in the shuffle and are held to impossible standards. Don’t even get me started on what happens when they get involved in sports or study.

Maybe it’s time you became a Barnabas. Maybe it’s time to start guiding, encouraging and heralding. Too many people are wandering around lost in the haze of these times. We all share in the despair that times like this bring.

But, being Barnabas, we can help bring out the best in people. We can reflect the image of God that is inside them. A Barnabas can change the world for anyone, and everyone.

How do you get started? Well, get to church and pray. Ask your pastor or worship leader if there are any areas in your church that you can mentor and help. Go to the school and talk to the counselors and teachers, find out it there is someplace you can help out. Look in to helping people with their GED’s or the kids with their reading.

Go to ball games and shout out encouragements. Pat someone on the back and let them know they are appreciated. It isn’t hard to be a Barnabas, we just need do it.

See you in church.