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Michael Fox CPCC,
founder of m�agine!,
is a professional
coach and trainer,
author and creative artist, whose work has been featured throughout
the world.
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The third best known
"Joseph" in all of scripture...
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Your first clue: He provided food for the hungry in a time of severe famine. No, it wasn't Joseph, the favored son of Jacob. Your second clue: He believed the best about an individual--when others assumed
the worst. No, it wasn't Joseph, husband of Mary, mother of Jesus.
Your third clue: He was central to the phenomenal growth of the first-century Christian church, yet this man's evangelistic success did not depend so much upon knowledge, skill, or--God forbid--manipulation: his success influencing men and women to become "apprentices" of Jesus was a natural outgrowth of his attitude and relationship with others. So...who is the third-best-known "Joseph" in all of Scripture?
The apostles were so impressed by Joseph's service to others that they changed his name, better to reflect this wonderful quality. "And Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles [which translated means, Son of Encouragement]..." (Acts 4:36).
The Greek word translated "encouragement" is paraklesis, a form of the same word Jesus used to refer to the Holy Spirit in John 14:16-17. The word, difficult to translate with a single word in English, literally means to call to one's side. What the Spirit was to the apostles--comforting, strengthening, encouraging them--following Jesus' return to the Father, Barnabas was in a measure to the first-century church.
Everything we know about Barnabas--the Son of Encouragement--is found in the following passages of the New Testament: Acts 4:32-36; 9:26-30; 11:19-30; 12:25-15:41; 1 Corinthians 9:6; Galatians 2:1-21; Colossians 4:10. I invite your curiosity to review them carefully.
Barnabas encouraged--that is, he came alongside--others, one, by self-sacrifice on their behalf (Acts 4:35-37); two, by strengthening their spirit (Acts 9:-27); and, three, by his patience and compassion (Acts 15:36-38).
Given
our contemporary perception of what encouragement looks like--or better, sounds like--isn't it
ironic that not one word of exhortation--in fact, not a word of any kind--is attributed in scripture to Barnabas, the "Son of Encouragement"? What does this imply of the nature of
encouragement?
What would it look like to move your encouragement of others beyond an impulsive word or a pat on the back?
Dr. Gary Chapman, author of The Five Love Languages, identified--you guessed it, five "languages" that men and women use to give and to receive love. The five love languages include words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch. Among the five, which language(s) do you most effectively "speak" as an encourager? Which language(s) do you most long to "hear" from an encourager?
How might it be different, when you do speak words of encouragement, to encourage with words of wisdom and truth, rather than empty platitudes and false assurances?
How might you empower, rather than enable, those whom you encourage?
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Michael Fox
m�agine!
530/613.2774
P.O. Box 9144
Auburn, CA, USA 95604
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In addition to personal and professional coaching,
m�agine! specializes in spiritual transformation coaching,
employing its proprietary models: Values, Vision, Voice and Heart, Soul, Mind & Strength.
Michael's books include Complete in Christ,
Complete in Christ Spiritual Transformation Workbook, and Biblio�files.
Coaching fees are based upon a sliding scale. Contact us for details.
Limited scholarships are available for spiritual transformation coaching.
On the flip side, if you are able, please inquire about opportunities
to fund scholarships for those who cannot afford coaching fees.
View our archives!
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