ENCOURAGEMENT - Everybody needs more of it.  We feel like we get "beat up" enough in our circumstances or relationships.  We'd like to hear more, "Atta boy," or "Way to go," from people whose opinion affects our lives. 

But too often, we are left to assume that no news is good news from our bosses, spouses, even friends and work mates.  Maybe we don't appear to need encouragement.  We look like we have it "all together."  We're self sufficient, not needing a kind word or approving comment.

There's more to encouragement than words however.  We also need people who can come alongside and open doors, pave the way, build bridges, and introduce us to those who can help us become successful.

Contrary to the American myth, no one, NO ONE, makes it on their own.  We cannot pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps.  Someone has to give us those "bootstraps" to pull.  We may work extremely hard to succeed.  We put in long hours, sacrifice personally, struggle mightily to achieve our goals in life.  But everybody needs people to encourage, link, guide and direct our efforts in ways we cannot accomplish by ourselves - try as hard as we might.

One of the greatest minds of all times, a man who overcame incredible odds to become a significant figure in history was a person who would have been nowhere, nobody, no how, if it had not been for another man whose very name meant, "The Encourager."

The great man was the Apostle Paul.  The man behind the scenes whose encouragement made all the difference was named Barnabas.  The moment was Paul's introduction to the ruling council of disciples in Jerusalem.  They refused to meet with Paul because his reputation for the murderous attacks on Christians had preceded him.  Who would really believe Paul had a change of heart and loyalty? Barnabas did.  And in Acts 9:27,

"But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles.  He told them how Paul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus."

What a risk Barnabas took!  He laid his own reputation and relationship with the church leaders on the line.  He took Paul by the hand and led him into the inner circle.  Barnabas became the "GUARANTOR" for Paul.

That's the kind of encouragement each of us needs today.  More than a mentor, better than a business reference.  We need someone who will be willing to take us under his wing and affirm our God-given gifts, the truthfulness of our faith experiences and the importance of allowing us to widen the circle of influence for the sake of God's Kingdom.

• Who has served as a "guarantor" for you in the past? 
• For whom could you serve as an encourager so he can also succeed?