Daily Devotional

When I was in fourth grade, my classmates came up with a nickname for me. They called me Teacher’s Pet. I asked them why they called me that. They said, “Because you are respectful to the teacher, you answer every question she asks, and you help substitute teachers when they come to our class.” I said, “I just hate getting in trouble.” They said, “That’s why you’re the Teacher’s Pet.”

At first that nickname hurt me. But then I thought about it and realized, it was really a privilege. I was already a Christian in fourth grade, so being helpful to the teacher, and setting an example of love and respect was what Jesus would do. I thought, “Call me Teacher’s Pet anytime you want. No problem.”

Well, the nickname the apostles gave Joseph was a great nickname, too. Son of Encouragement. What does the word encouragement mean? It literally means to “put courage into someone”. We all experience seasons of hopelessness. We need fellow believers to come alongside us, recognize we’re struggling, and help us stand back up. Barnabas didn’t seek the spotlight. He operated behind the scenes. He was the person willing to take risks to lift up people around him. He saw the potential in Saul of Tarsus when he wasn’t accepted into the early church because of his role in Stephen’s death, and his persecution of the church in Jerusalem. Later he gave John Mark a second chance after Mark deserted Paul on an earlier missionary journey.
To be a Barnabas, we need to be on the lookout for those who n
eed a welcoming hand, a second chance, or a reminder of God’s grace. Someone who sees the best in you. As a “son or daughter of encouragement”, you are called to speak life into those who are overlooked, to advocate for the weary, and in the process always point people back to Christ. Why? Because Christ is the ultimate source of all comfort.

What does encouragement look like? For one thing, it has to be active if it’s going to accomplish anything. Here are three steps to be a ‘son or daughter of encouragement’ today…

1. Notice the overlooked - Be aware of those here at church who might be struggling or feeling isolated. Reach out to them. Find out if they need anything. Be there.
   
   
2. Catch ‘em doing good - When someone does or says something that makes an impact on you, text or email them and let them know how grateful you are for them.
   
   
3. Help them - Those carrying a heavy burden need help with the load, offer practical help.
   
   

We all need brothers and sisters in Christ who won’t give up on us. People who will notice when we’re not around, and reach out to us. People who will come alongside new believers and welcome them into our church family. People who reach out to those who just need an ‘atta boy’ or ‘atta girl’.

Take a moment right now and ask God to soften your heart to those in need around you. Ask God to use you to ‘put courage into the hearts’ of those you encounter today.

New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.