About once a week or so, my notifications on Facebook will light up. I begin wondering what’s going on. I haven’t posted anything today?! What is it??
Then it clicks.
Renee & I have been friends for over 25 years. We’re part of a pack known as “BSG” – Bible Study Girls. Someone gave us that name in college … and it stuck.
A lot has happened since those days: marriage, kids, careers, and even different cities now for a couple of us. But thankfully, the BSGs are still together.
Each girl has a unique personality and gifting that she brings to the group. Renee is no exception. She is the hostest with the mostest. Renee opens up her beautiful home to many including the BSG children and their mamas for summer swim days. She doesn’t seem the least bit bothered when these same children come in dripping wet on her beautiful hardwood floors or eat all of the food on her large kitchen island. She simply smiles and just retrieves more food from her pantry and towels from her linen closet.
Oh yes…back to the notifications. Those are the days when Renee is catching up on social media and will take the time to read each post that our ministry group has shared over the past week or so. She will respond and comment to every single one.
There are others who may not have the same approach, but still have the same effect.
My friend Sweena has been around since the very beginning of my ministry journey. She was a part of my first Bible study group and has probably read every blog post I have ever written. After my first year of writing, she (along with my husband) printed those posts as a keepsake for me. She continues to be one of my biggest encouragers in word and in prayer.
Of course, there’s also my parents who always tell me how proud they are … and my sister who is the first person I hear from after I have taught a Bible study or written a post. Then, there are sweet friends like Sherri, Linda and others who support us in countless ways. I could go on and on about this amazing tribe of people who have been with me over the years.
Why do I share this about my friends?
We often think of ministry on a stage or platform. We look to people who have the most followers or likes on social media. But we forget that ministry also comes in the sweet form of encouragement.
In the New Testament, we are introduced to Barnabas. He may not have the same notoriety as other people in scripture but that doesn’t negate the influence he had.
“Back in Jerusalem he (Paul) tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him. They didn’t trust him one bit. Then Barnabas took him under his wing. He introduced him to the apostles and stood up for him…” Acts 9:26-27 MSG
“…they sent Barnabas to Antioch to check on things. As soon as he arrived, he saw that God was behind and in it all. He threw himself in with them, got behind them, urging them to stay with it the rest of their lives. He was a good man that way, enthusiastic and confident in the Holy Spirit’s ways.” Acts 11:22-24 MSG
“…the Holy Spirit said, ‘I have called Barnabas and Saul to do an important work for me. Now, release them to go and fulfill it.’” Acts 13:2 TPT
The list goes on to the point that Barnabas was referred to as the “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36).
“In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.” Romans 12:6-8 NLT
In this list of extraordinary gifts, encouragement is included. Maybe you don’t have a stage to minister from or even a house with a pool, but if you can speak/write/text/comment, you have the ability to encourage. If it wasn’t for men like Barnabas, we may not have the writings of Paul. If it weren’t for those people who encouraged me in my early years of ministry, I’m not sure you would be reading this post today.
Thanks to all of you…my sweet friends of encouragement.
~Anu
