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I have shot off a few things recently concerning mentors/coaches in life but after reading the book of Acts some thoughts shook me up. Before we discuss Acts, ask yourself the following questions.  Who have you identified in your life as a mentor? Who do you contact when an important decision is made? Who are your counsellors?
Here are some more: Why are they your mentor? How did they become your mentor? How honest are you with them? What if they give advice contrary to your opinion? How much do you trust your mentor? How many different mentors do you have in your life?

I plowed through the book of Acts the other day after doing some extensive research concerning a guy named Barnabas. Many of you will first remember his name from his journeys with the apostle Paul. He also appears to us in Acts chapter 4 after he sold a field and donated the money. It was at this moment he was nicknamed Barnabas (meaning son of encouragement).

This seems like an unlikely fact in the Bible but as we continue to read through the book of Acts it makes much more sense as to why this piece of information was included. A nickname is just a nickname until it becomes a nickname of someone of significance. Remember, the writers of the Bible are not trying to confuse you when they write. They are delivering a message.

So, with that said, let’s move onto Barnabas and his significance. If you move through the book of Acts to chapter 9 you will find the apostle Paul’s conversion experience. An amazing experience, unlike any other and one which left him blind in Damascus for 3 days. Sometimes your worst moments in life are the catalyst for your recognition of Jesus.

We all remember Saul and this first encounter and how Ananias found him, laid his hands on him and his sight was restored. An unforgettable moment for Saul the Christian killer to become Saul the Jesus lover. Ananias becomes a legend for being the first person to have rescued Saul. Epic story right … of course. Take a look at what happens next.

Saul has an encounter from God and immediately his mentor shows up. Huh, you say? Saul who is now referred to as Paul had a mentor? Take a look at the next person who was the driving force behind the greatest apostle we know today.

Acts 9
When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer! 27 Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus.
28 So Saul stayed with the apostles and went all around Jerusalem with them, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He debated with some Greek-speaking Jews, but they tried to murder him. 30 When the believers[f] heard about this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus, his hometown.
31 The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers.

Barnabas (son of encouragement), who stuck his neck out for Saul introduced him to the apostles in Jerusalem. Everyone else was scared of him, everyone else ran away from him. Barnabas had a gift of being able to distinguish and encourage. What a risk Barnabas took with Saul. Your mentor may be the one who took the greatest risk in you.

Barnabas risked everything in reaching out to the Christian killer and gained everything as he trained, taught and travelled with Paul. An interesting relationship formed by a teacher and student but something to take note as Paul recognized his need. Do you recognize a need in your life?

When you had an encounter with God, who reached out to you? Did you take a position of a learner or did you pass it up? Think of people in your life who reached out and what were your responses? These responses ultimately dictate the path you are on.

What would have happened if Barnabas did not reach out to Paul? What would have happened if Paul chose not to take on the roll of a learner? A lot of what if’s and probably a lot of names we would not be reading about in the Bible.

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