Day 97
I have just finished reading a book of short stories by Ian Rankin. I read Scottish fiction when I am feeling a little maudlin. Each episode in the anthology features Inspector John Rebus. In an epilogue Rankin gives some insights into the genesis of his most famous character. It had not occurred to me that the name Rebus means a type of puzzle which is appropriate for a detective trying to solve cases who is also himself something of an enigma.
Names interest me. I often ask people from different cultures what their names mean.
I was thinking a bit about the names of some of the characters in the Acts passage I was looking at the other day. Both Paul and Barnabas have acquired new names in their service of God.
Paul was previously known as Saul. Saul was the first king of Israel and Paul like his namesake was also from the Tribe of Benjamin. After his encounter with the Lord on the Road to Damascus in Acts 9 Saul continues to be called by his given name.
It is not until Acts 13 when they are on Cyprus that the name Paul is introduced and explained as being interchangeable with Saul. There after the apostle is always referred to by his Roman name of Paul rather than his Hebrew name of Saul. There is some irony that while Saul was a tall and strong King of Israel, the name Paul means small or humble. It is not surprising that Paul chooses to use a Roman name as he travels through the empire. He writes to the Corinthians that “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” (9:22)
Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus who went by the name of Joseph. The name Barnabas was given to him by the apostles and means “Son of Encouragement”. He was such an encourager that this nickname became his actual name.
The relationship between the little guy and the son of encouragement is a fascinating example of leadership development and helpfully identifies some key issues around encouragement. I am struck by five of these lessons from The Barnabas Files. I will share three of these today and save two for tomorrow.
When the apostles are afraid of Saul and sceptical about his alleged conversion, fearing it may be a trap, it is Barnabas who intercedes on his behalf.
“When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.” (9:26-27)
The Barnabas Files - Lesson 1: Leadership sometimes involves going against the consensus and being willing to risk your reputation and security to love a former enemy. Encouragement is recognising what the Lord is doing in another persons life and advocating for them.
The apostles send Barnabas to Antioch where he teaches, encourages and sees growth. Rather than resting on his laurels and building his reputation he goes to Tarsus and brings Paul to Antioch.
“When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.” (11:23-26)
The Barnabas Files - Lesson 2: Leadership recognises the grace of God in a situation and seeks to take that forward, it focuses on growing trust and wholehearted commitment to the Lord. Encouragement is about commitment over time, an identification of the gifts of others, an intentional decision to draw others in and a willingness to share ministry.
The church at Antioch take up an offering to help their brothers and sisters facing famine in Judaea. It is Barnabas and Saul who are trusted to safely carry this gift to it’s destination on the return journey they take John Mark along.
The Barnabas Files - Lesson 3: Leadership sometimes involves accepting assignments that are more dangerous and costly rather than asserting entitlement to avoid risk. Paul and Barnabas were big cheeses, they could have delegated minions to this menial task. They could have rationalised that they had taken risks and endured hardship when they were younger but others could do that now. There are no jobs that we should regard ourselves as being too important to consider. It is also being willing to trust those who are left behind to take the work forward in our absence and to become part of a much smaller team again. Encouragement means being on the look out for younger leaders to draw in and seeing the potential that time on the journey presents to grow relationships.
Today I am thankful for sons and daughters of encouragement and for the many ways they invest in and bless others.
I mentioned earlier how my emotional state can sometimes shape my literary selections. I recognise some latent Scottish traits that can be a cultural factor in encouragement. You may have grown up someplace where everyone told you that you were awesome all the time. In Scotland we have chosen to err on the side of realism and believe that we shouldn’t get ideas above our station or get too big for our boots. It is the Celtic version of what we call in New Zealand “The Tall Poppy Syndrome”. Better to cut people down to size in case they think they are better and to save them from disappointment. I was reading a blog that covered aspects of the Scottish psyche that has some relevance here.
“First, there’s the issue of modesty. We like acknowledgement of our gallant efforts at being a good Scot sure (pat on the head), but are usually uncomfortable with direct praise. We can’t exit the conversation fast enough if that materialises. Gruff, monosyllabic small talk and desperate references to the weather or the Cowdenbeath football score can be expected instead.”
I am grateful for those who see potential and encourage the good even if it sometimes easier to give than to receive, every expression of encouragement and appreciation makes a real difference. We need to build others up and allow others to to that for us, even if our culture or personality make that difficult.
So thank you but I have just checked and the Blue Brazil drew 1-1 with Edinburgh City last Friday.
(Which for the uninitiated is a reference to a Cowdenbeath football score)
I will continue with Barnabas tomorrow