Acts 13:1-3

13 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

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We were not intended or created to be alone. In the short passage above it's easy to miss the significance of Barnabas and Saul being sent out together. If you've read any portion of the New Testament, you recognize the name of Paul who was then called Saul, but Barnabas might not be as well known. Barnabas was Paul's partner for 3 years of Paul's missionary journey and despite disagreements between one another they supported each other through this time. Paul's missionary journey was infamous for the amount of opposition and and abuse he received while trying to proclaim the Gospel but it's in especially in times like this where you need to be able to have the support of a brother like Barnabas going through the same thing.

Faith is meant to be relationship and while our relationship with God is the most important relationship in this faith, we can't oversee the relationships we build with peers, mentors and mentees. Barnabas was Paul's peer. They were sent out together, commissioned by the Holy Spirit to go spread the word of God. In your walk of faith, you've probably heard words like accountability and community being emphasized again and again. We need to remind ourselves that not only are these things nice to have, but they are actually essential in order for us to maintain our faith. 

Paul had Barnabas, Moses had Aaron and Dr. Hall has Gerald. Who can you say is a Barnabas in your life? Is there someone who you can walk alongside in faith, someone who isn't afraid to challenge you or call you out, or someone that you yourself aren't afraid to call out. If you don't, find one. Find someone who you can call your Barnabas but also understand that this relationship will not be a flawless, perfectly polished one. You will irritate each other, disagree and get into fights, but as long as you both, like Saul and Barnabas, are clear in your intentions of pursuing Christ, all that will only serve to only help you grow in your faith.