Recently, my husband and I were blessed with an “appreciation” gathering of the staff that we have worked with for the past 9 years. (We are moving on to a new role next month.)
Each staff member chose words that they thought best described us, which was very affirming! It is so encouraging to be seen by others in positive ways!
Today’s passage features a Levite from Cyprus called Joseph whose name was changed to Barnabas because the apostles who worked closely with him saw qualities in him that acknowledged, among other things, his giving and encouraging nature.
We all have given names which may or may not have significant meanings to us. My name means pure or clear (which could be hard to live up to!) When I went online to find the meaning of my name, I was very surprised to see that because of other women who have been named Karen, the meaning has changed to a meme: an obnoxious, angry, entitled, and often racist middle-aged white woman who uses her privilege to get her way or police other people’s behaviors!
How do people see you and me? Do they see a giving, sacrificial, encouraging person like Barnabas, or someone who is obnoxious, angry, entitled and/or racist? This is a sobering reminder to me that how I treat others is an indication of what is really inside, and this world needs more people like Barnabas, right?
Ultimately, whatever your name is, people need to see Jesus in all of us, but this is a great reminder to me that I can choose whether to live up to one meaning of my name or the other!
Father God, please help me to reflect your love and sacrificial giving to a world that is often selfish and unloving. Thank you for the example of Christ’s love and sacrifice. Amen.
Throughout This Day: Think about any angry exchanges you may have had lately. Ask God to show you how to live up to his name as his child, and resolve to be a Barnabas today!
Photo Credit: Jon Tyson on Unsplash