Do you have a Barnabas in your life? You probably know that Barnabas means “son of encouragement”. Do you have someone who encourages you? I sure hope so, because there are probably multiple people in your life who seek to do the opposite. Well meaning people who will try to save you from failure, often who squash dreams without even knowing it.
In the last few years, I have had a strong pull and desire to start a house church network in the city I live in. There are multiple things that need to come together for this to happen, but I am pulled and drawn and compelled by this vision. As I have shared this vision, the majority of the people will point out to me who often house churches fail. I have been told how hard it will be, how the house church movement will never take off in this country, and people who mean well who don’t think I can pull it off. I have had a few that encouraged me, but I have found the vast majority who are eager to tell me the problem with my dream.
It seems that today in the church, in our Christian communities, there are more than a few people who are eager to find every problem with a dream. Most things that God calls us too are hard, some are close to impossible. Think of Moses, one guy watching sheep was called to confront the most powerful leader in the world. Gideon, who goes against a powerful army with a handful of men. The giant tasks (and one giant man) loom large in scripture, God calling men to do amazing things. They often had people telling them they couldn’t do it. I want to start being more of a Barnabas. I want to encourage dreams and support people in their work.,
I have some pretty ambitious dreams. I have written some books, started some ministries and done some things that will require God’s hands to make happen. I have hope and faith that if God wants to use me to do amazing things, that He can do them, even with all my short comings. As weak and frail as I am, seems like I’m the perfect canidate to do amazing things. I think you are a good canidate to do amazing things, that God can do great things through us.
Maybe if we decide to support and encourage one another, maybe if we take the work of Barnabas seriously we would see amazing things. If we took the role of burdon carrier seriously, amazing things would happen. With that said, how can I encourage you?