Have you ever struggled with something God asked you to do, or someone God asked you to connect with? I wonder what Barnabas was thinking when God called him to walk alongside Saul (later Paul). Somehow, I just doubt this was something Barnabas did without God calling him to it. After all, Saul had a reputation that preceded him. The book of Acts tells us in Chapter 7 that Saul was present when Stephen was stoned, and commentators estimate that he would go on to aggressively seek out and persecute followers of Christ for 2 to 3 years after that. Then, like so many of our stories, everything changes when Jesus shows up. Saul radically encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, right in the middle of a mission to persecute the early Church. Jesus redirects Saul—not just on his journey but for his whole life. Saul’s encounter with Jesus would leave him changed forever. He would spend the next three years or so learning at the feet of other believers before he was ready to head back to Jerusalem to meet the leaders of the early church.  

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Except the leaders weren’t exactly willing to meet him. Saul had been off their radar for a while, but they hadn’t forgotten what he’d done the last time he was in town. Now Saul returns, claiming he’s changed and wants to be part of the church. They’re not buying it. Things aren’t going great for Saul, but then there’s Barnabas. Barnabas believes Saul’s story and vouches for him to other church leaders. And Barnabas doesn’t stop with introductions, he goes on to give Paul some of his early opportunities to preach in Antioch and then to travel with him for his first missionary trip to Asia Minor. Talk about a real “son of encouragement,” which is the meaning of Barnabas’ name.  

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Imagine what it took for Barnabas to risk his reputation to believe Saul’s transformation. That kind of faith in another person takes courage and deep trust in God’s leading. God used Barnabas’ willingness to believe in Saul as a catalyst for Paul’s ministry. His encouragement didn’t just comfort Saul, it helped activate his calling. Our faithfulness in small relational moments can become part of someone else’s life-changing story.  

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Jesus totally changed Saul, and Barnabas’ generous spirit changed Saul’s life, too. The same can be true of us. Yes, the reality is that God in His sovereignty could make everything happen that He wants to happen without us. However, in His goodness, He includes us in the process of bringing about His will. When we obey and lean into the unknown, hard, or scary things God may be calling us to, He meets us in that space and equips us for the task. We get to be the hands and feet of community, love, generosity, grace, encouragement, and more. What a privilege!  

How is God inviting YOU into what He is doing today, or into this season of stepping into Restoration Life with your church family? If you’re joining us for Prayer + Fasting this week, today’s emphasis is on being empowered by the Spirit. That’s the same Spirit who worked through Barnabas to encourage Saul, and through Saul, to build the early Church.  

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Ask the Spirit to fill you, lead your words and actions, and give you insight to recognize God’s nudges to step into things or connect with others. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His plan for good works didn’t stop with people like Saul and Barnabas. He’s got good works He planned in advance for you to do, too! (Eph. 2:10). After you’ve spent time with Jesus, put yourself out there and pray out loud for someone else this week. You never know when YOU could be someone’s Barnabas.

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Join us for R.E.S.T.O.R.E., this week's 7-Day Prayer Movement, as we prepare to fast and worship on Sunday!