Encouragers

by Alice Valdal

  Last week's Bible study began with the question "when have you been deceived by someone? "  So we all started the day by dredging up old hurts and disappointments.  Downer!
   Being a sunny-side-of-the-street  person, I wondered what would happen if we asked a different question.  "When have you been encouraged by someone?"  Just asking the question lifts our spirits.  We've moved from pain and disillusionment to joy and hope. 
  We remember a teacher who said you can do anything if you set your mind to it.  Or the camp counsellor who encouraged us to become leaders.  Or the coach who set high standards then helped us to meet them.
   Those are the people we like to remember.  Those are the people we wish to emulate.

   Scripture exhorts us to encourage one another. Over and over Paul stresses the need for Christians to share each others trials and to boost each others spirits.  1 Thessalonians 5:11, Ephesians 4:29,  Philippians 4:8,
  1 Corinthians 14:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:18, Romans 15 
  Of course Jesus and the Holy Spirit are our greatest encouragers, John 16:33,   John 14:16. 
But the Bible gives us many examples of mortal men who used their power to help others along the road.
  Moses encouraged Joshua to take command of the Isrealite armies and lead them into the Promised Land. 
  Andrew encouraged his brother, Peter, to come to Jesus.
  Mordecai the Jew in the reign of Esther encouraged all his fellow Jews.
  Jonathan, son of Saul, encouraged David when Saul sought to kill him.
  The Apostle Barnabas is a prime example of one who encourages. Even his name means  “Son of Encouragement” or “ Son of Exhortation” Acts 4:36
   Encouragement from Barnabas took three forms.  First he shared.  At Pentecost we find him selling his land in order to give the proceeds to the newly formed church.

Second he reconciled.  When Saul of Tarsus, persecutor of Christians converted and became the great apostle Paul, it was Barnabas who welcomed him into the Christian community.  Acts 9: 26-30 when others held back.
   Finally we see Barnabas as a mentor, not only to Paul, but to John Mark.  Acts 12:25.  When Paul and Mark had a falling out, it was Barnabas who brought about a reconciliation.  John Mark became a loyal apostle and the first writer of the Gospel. Acts 15: 37

   So, for the purposes of our Bible Study, we needed to recall deceivers in our lives, but as followers of Christ, let us be like Barnabas, an encourager, mentor, friend, peace-maker.  The world will be better for it.