I didn’t grow up in the church, so when I first heard the name Barnabas in the Bible all I could think of was Barnabas Collins, the TV vampire from the Dark Shadows TV series. I now know that was one of the most misnamed TV characters ever. Barnabas from the Bible was just the opposite. Where vampires literally suck the life out of people, Barnabas from the Bible was in a sense a giver of life. His name, which seems to be a nickname given later in life, means “son of encouragement.” We could sure use some sons (and daughters) of encouragement in our world today.
The other night I was in Bible study and I was talking about some of the things that are going on in our world and I actually found myself fighting back tears. The world is pretty dark at times or at least that’s how it feels. Then one of my folks spoke up, He began to tell me stories he was seeing that were opposite of what I had seen, stories of people doing wonderful amazing things. He was being Barnabas to me and I ended up being very encouraged and that’s the point.
Some of the dark stuff is a sad reality in our world, that cannot be denied, but we have a choice, we can lament the darkness or we can shine a light. Barnabases shine the light. They bring encouragement they spur us on to love and good deeds. We who have. Creative gifts are in position to tell these good stories, and to create stories and other forms of art that inspire and encourage. We need Barnabas artists who spur us on.
We can lament the darkness or we can be the light.
Be a Barnabas!
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