The Barnabas Committee

Joses . . . was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement).

Acts 4:36

Popular conference speaker Jeanne Zornes has frequently told of a low point in her life. She was thirty and single, attending Bible college, struggling with finances, fighting sickness, facing constant car repairs, and watching her parents battle life-threatening illnesses.

One morning her professor surprised the class by admitting he was facing some overwhelming burdens in his own life. He asked the students to pray for him. Zornes and her friends formed a “Barnabas Committee” to encourage him; and throughout the semester, they sent him notes and little tokens of their concern and prayers.

As the group did so, they discovered the truth of Proverbs 11:25: those who encourage others will themselves be encouraged. “Even though my problems didn’t go away,” Zornes wrote, “my reaching out to others helped keep my focus on God’s love and power.”^a

Why not think of yourself as a one-person Barnabas Committee, devoted to encouraging others? Multitudes need a word of encouragement today, especially young people. They are big bundles of potential who can do great things for the Lord if spurred on by our encouragement. See who you can “Barnabize” today.

Encouragers see potential where others only see problems.

DAVID JEREMIAH