Men of Encouragement | Men's Devotionalಮಾದರಿ

A Friend in a Stranger

When I was in middle school, I got invited to a youth group.

One week, we had an event that split the group into teams, and I was put with a bunch of kids I didn’t know.

But one stood out more than the others. He was weird, funny, and cool. We hit it off.

Over the next few years, we developed a friendship where we practically lived in each other’s homes and spent every weekend together. Two strangers became best friends.

If you think about it, most friendships start off as strangers. Two people who don’t know each other are introduced, attend the same event, or are in a situation that neither of them can escape.

And from that can stem one of the closest friendships you could ask for.

In Acts 9, Saul is on a tear against the Christian Church when he has his own Jesus encounter on the road to Damascus. A few days later, he tries to connect with the disciples, who are understandably extremely hesitant to meet with the persecutor of the Church.

But then Barnabas, the “son of encouragement,” enters the situation. He takes Saul aside, hears his story, and becomes the bridge between the disciples and this new friend in the faith.

The friendship between Saul and Barnabas is an interesting one. They spent a lot of time together. Grew in their faith together. Did missionary work together.

But then a dispute broke out between them, and they separated, going in different directions (Acts 15:36-41).

This leads me to a question: Should Saul and Barnabas have even started this friendship in the first place only to lose it years later due to a disagreement?

My answer: Yes! Saul needed Barnabas, and Barnabas needed Saul.

We don’t know where our friendships will go or how long they will last. But we do know that we need them.

To be a man of encouragement is to be open to finding new friendships with strangers and seeing where they go.

So be like Barnabas. Meet new people because, after all, you are a stranger to them, and you are pretty cool—so they might be, too.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You that You have friends to come that I don’t even know about yet. Help me to be open to meeting new people and being who You want me to be so that I can be ready for these new friendships. Amen.

Reflection: Where is a place where you might meet someone new? Is it church, or work, or a new group or sports league you can join? Jump in and see where new friendships might be found.