Walking Together, Part 2

A friend is the one walking with you through every season, rejoicing in the victories and supporting you in the challenges. Last week we started looking at one of the Bible’s examples of friendship – Paul and Barnabas.

Barnabas and Paul’s friendship began when Barnabas stood up for Paul, encouraging him in God’s call. At that moment I am sure neither man had any idea what had God had in store for them together as friends. If you read the book of Acts you see over and over these men paired together. As I was reading their story, two things jumped out at me.

1. Friendship is a gift from God.

Yes, that is something I already knew, but this time it really stood out to me in a new way. Paul and Barnabas were a part of the early church. The church was full of faithful, strong believers – men and women many of whom lost their careers, their homes, and even their lives for the gospel. These men and women studied God’s word, gave sacrificially, and worshiped continually. Yet, out of all these believers, God had something specific for Paul and Barnabas together.

The friendship of Paul and Barnabas was more than something that just happened because they were in the same place at the same time. It was more than just something that grew over time. It was more than just common interest. It was actually anointed by God. Listen to how the Bible explains it. The church was gathered together, worshiping and “while they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’” (Acts 13:2)

God had a specific work for these two men. Something that they had to do together. It reminds me of how Jesus sent out his disciples for ministry – two by two (Luke 10:1). Friendship is more than something God allows, it is essential.

Often in life, we will be given tasks that cannot be accomplished alone.  In fact, when it comes to serving God, He knows two are better than one. Remember our verse in Ecclesiastes? “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NASB)

God gives us friendship as a gift. In fact, just like for Paul and Barnabas, friendship can be anointed by Him. Do you believe that? Do you believe that God will put people in your life at just the right time for very specific purposes?

2. Friendship is built by journeying together not by individual successes.

Another thing I noticed in reading Acts, is that over and over we read about Paul and Barnabas or Barnabas and Paul. They journeyed all over the world. They started churches. They suffered and were persecuted. And over and over it was as a team. Their journey and friendship were not about individual success. First, it was about God’s glory. And then it was about the journey they were taking together.

In today’s world, we talk a lot about personal vision, accomplishing goals, taking things to the next level, and making it to the top. Most of us are quick to think about where we are going and what we need to do to get there.  But what if you can’t get where you are supposed to go on your own? What if what you are called to do takes other people to accomplish?

And maybe the real question, the hard question is, what if the destination has nothing to do with your personal success? What if your name doesn’t appear in the headlines? Or what if you have to share the credit with someone else?

I truly believe that relationships are more important than personal accomplishment.  And I wonder if part of the reason we struggle to develop true friendships is that we have to give up on our solo-journey.

Yes, the Bible teaches that we all have a calling. We all have unique gifts and we are all supposed to serve God with those gifts. But the Bible also models serving God as a body. Jesus traveled with His disciples. Paul and Barnabas went together.

What if the key to serving God to the fullest is learning to walk together? To live in unity? To focus on God’s glory? To encourage, lift up, and share the journey?

Take a few minutes to reflect on this example from the early church:

“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe, and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
Acts 2:42-47 NASB