Let me tell you about a guy named Joe.  He was raised in a religious family, and even became a part of the professional clergy where he lived.  Some of his history is a little unclear, but it appears that at some point in his young adult life, he left his home town to go for an extended vacation in a foreign city.  It was a place of history and legend, and the location of his religion’s most holy shrine.  It appears that Joe’s vacation was probably intended as a pilgrimage to take part in a couple of annual festivals that are of major importance in his religion.  Even though there is a period of a few weeks between these two festivals, the expense and logistics of travel made it customary for foreign “pilgrims” such as himself to remain in town for the whole time as it was unlikely that they would ever have another opportunity to be present to celebrate both of these festivals in the holy city.  Besides, Joe had ties to this city.  He even owned some property there. 

But apparently, something happened while Joe was in this city, something that changed everything about him – his beliefs, his job, his property, and even his very name.  We can’t be certain, but it appears Joe encountered some people who might be referred to as “religious fanatics”.  And, you guessed it, these fanatics apparently got to Joe in such a way that he walked away from everything he had ever known and started a new life with these people.  He was so immersed in their new and strange beliefs that he quickly became recognized as a leader among them.  He even sold his property – his inheritance, really – and donated the proceeds to the group.            

Joe was soon trying to bring other people into the organization, and was very successful.  There was something about him that people found irresistible – except for the people who thought that everybody in this group was crazy and dangerous.  Such people went after Joe, and sure enough, at least as best we can tell, they eventually killed him – not far from his home town where he had returned to try to convince his former friends and family to do what he had done – give up everything they had ever known to join him in what he described as the most wonderful and exciting adventure of all time.

By the way, the new name that these religious nuts gave Joe was “Barnabas”, which means “Son of Encouragement”.  You can read about Joe/Barnabas in your Bible in the Book of Acts.   

Now let me tell you about another guy named Joe.  This Joe is the Coach of the Abilene Christian University Basketball team, Joe Golding.  [And I know you’re thinking, “Oh please, not another ACU basketball story.”  I’m sorry, but this one is too good to miss, even though my Alma Mater is no longer in “The Dance”.  And, I promise, this will be the last one, probably.]  

Anyway, as you recall, ACU was matched up as a gigantic underdog against the mighty University of Texas in the first round of this year’s NCAA Basketball Tournament.  Unbelievably, ACU was in the lead for most of the game, until the last few seconds when Texas got a one point lead.  Then, with 1.2 seconds left to play, an ACU player [another “Joe” – Joe Pleasant – good stuff, huh?], was fouled and sent to the free throw line to shoot two shots to either win or lose the game.  And, as you recall, Joe Pleasant was the worst free throw shooter on the ACU team.  

What do you think Coach Joe told “worst free throw shooter Joe” during the tension-building time out before the free throws were attempted?  Maybe he could have given him some advice about proper form, proper release, or where to aim?  Maybe he could have advised him that, since there was no way he was going to make the free throws, to just throw the ball hard at the backboard in the hopes that one of his team mates could grab the rebound and attempt a shot before the buzzer?

The only thing Coach Joe told “worst free throw shooter Joe” was this: “After you make these shots, remember to get back down the floor and play solid defense.”  

Wow!  And, of course, “worst free throw shooter Joe” made both shots to win the game!  Maybe Coach Joe should be renamed “Coach Barnabas”, amen?  Indeed, no one was surprised to hear this about Coach Joe because encouragement is who he is and how he leads his team.  Do you think that Joe Pleasant will ever doubt himself again?  Coach Joe’s encouragement – in that defining moment, and in every aspect of his connection with the team - has changed Joe Pleasant’s life.  

There really is something irresistible about someone who goes out of their way to be encouraging.  Encouragement can make your day.  Encouragement can change your life.  Encouragement can save your soul.  

And the best part is, encouragement costs nothing.  I am so grateful to the many “Barnabases” out there who, without even thinking about it, live encouragement, and speak encouragement.  In fact, you “overflow” with encouragement.  Thank you for filling my cup, and the cups of so many others, to overflowing!  You are changing lives.  I want to be like you.

Ambrose Ramsey | Shepherd