Fermata Dec 10, 2021: Being Barnabas for Paul

Fermata is the weekly newsletter describing some of the past week’s highlights from Notes of Rest, which is my spiritual retreat ministry that interweaves text, music, and questions for the sake of cultivating stillness, introspection, and creativity in communities so that all may rest. I'd love to host a Notes of Rest for your church, seminary, or affinity group. Feel free to reply to this email to start the conversation!

Recap: Acts 9:26-30

This week's Fermata comes from Notes of Rest for Lawyers, held last weekend. We sat with Saul/Paul and Barnabas when they were first entering Jerusalem. Because Barnabas was able to vouch for the new convert, the fearful disciples of Jerusalem came to accept him. The advocates on the call thought about what it meant to be Barnabas for Paul's in their practice and what it meant to have Barnabas look out for them. We also were able to marvel at how God could use our obedience to bring about all kinds of kingdom fruit, like what happened with Barnabas' obedience to speak on behalf of his vulnerable friend.

Who has been Barnabas for you, and who can you be Barnabas for? How does it feel when your obedience leads to Kingdom fruit in someone else's life?

May The Lord of Rest grant us it today, for salvation has come and is coming. Should you find yourself in Barnabas' role, remind yourself of God's faithfulness unto you.

abundantly,
Julian

P.S. I wrote a piece on grief and love for this singer Nnenna Freelon. You can check that out here.