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| By Ianpassion |
We would never reach our goals if nobody helped us. Someone pushes us up instead of pulling us down. This person might be our friend, our teacher, or someone who is highly respected in our society. Whoever they are, one thing is certain: this person is not just with us, but they are for us.
I emphasize "for us" because not everyone who is with us is genuinely supportive. Some are only with us because they can still use us. Often, such individuals are opportunists and manipulators.
When things go wrong and we face troubles, confused, and searching for our path to the future, we might fail and feel lost. As we share our heart, dreams, passions, and aspirations for the rest of our lives, those who are merely "with us" may pretend to listen but remain emotionally detached.
Those who are merely "with us" do not want us to rise. They may want us to suffer, use us for their advantage, and spiritualize persecution as if it were from the Father. What is even sadder is that they will leave us when we are no longer useful to them.
However, when I study Barnabas, I am struck by what I observe:
“...he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him…But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Son and that the Son had spoken to him...” (Acts 9:26-27)
Paul could have had no impact on people’s lives without Barnabas. Barnabas was one of the Son’s disciples, in the Son’s inner circle, and a leader. Paul, on the other hand, had previously hated the believers and wished to imprison them.
But one day the Father touched Paul, and he was completely changed. A few days later, he wanted to join the fellowship of believers but was not welcomed due to his bad reputation as a persecutor.
Barnabas helped Paul. He introduced him to the group and explained how his life had changed. Eventually, Paul was accepted, and years later, he was installed as an apostle and commissioned to distant lands. Paul wrote almost half of the New Testament, containing profound theological subjects, and is considered a brilliant author and a successful writer.
Meanwhile, amidst Paul's success, we hear less about Barnabas. Paul greatly overshadowed him and became more recognized.
But if you were to ask Paul, he would say, “Where I am right now is because of Barnabas. He helped me rise. I succeeded because he took a risk and opened a door that I could not open on my own. He was not just with me; he was for me. He believed in me when no one else did.”
Barnabas was indeed a true brother to Paul. He was not only with Paul but also for him. He knew Paul would surpass him in some ways, but he was never insecure about it.
This is similar to John the Baptist’s statement: "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30). John recognized the Son’s potential that he did not possess.
Are you familiar with the crab mentality?
There are people around you who are not happy to see you rise. They don't want you to surpass them. Like crabs, if one tries to climb out, others will pull them back down. Crabs fear seeing others rise higher and instead want them to remain in the mud, dictated and controlled.
However, this is not the attitude of Barnabas. He was not intimidated by Paul’s potential for success. He honored him, paved the way for him to rise, and helped fulfill the dream God had given him.
There is no greater legacy than helping someone rise higher. Like Barnabas, you might have connections, position, and resources; use them to help others succeed. Help someone solve their puzzle. Be available in times of need. Don’t act like a crab. Encourage and release your blessings. Don’t manipulate someone’s vision for your personal agenda. Show them that you are not just with them but that you genuinely care for them.
When we help others rise, the Father will ensure that we are surrounded by people willing to help us rise in return. We rise by lifting others (I Thessalonians 5:11).
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