I heard the panic in my son’s voice. Water from a burst pipe was rapidly flooding his bathroom and he didn’t know what to do. Trying to stay calm on the phone, I guided him to the shutoff valve behind the toilet. It was jammed. While my wife did an online speed search for a plumber, I directed him to stuff towels in the doorway then head outside in search of the main water shutoff to the house. After a few excruciating minutes, he managed to stop the gushing.
Once we all took a moment to recover, my son said he was really glad I answered his call and knew what to do. I told him that in twenty-five years of home ownership, I’ve had my share of plumbing crises and had learned from painful experience.
Unexpected calamity is a part of life. Things are going along smoothly, then WHAM! Life smacks us in the head. I recently got an email from a friend who learned her husband’s brain cancer had returned. Another friend with young kids has been diagnosed with COVID-19. Yet another is dealing with a wayward teenage child. I’m sure you could fill in your own story. In those moments, it’s really good to have someone to call for help, advice, and support.
That reminds me of three people from Christian history. Paul, author of much of the Bible’s New Testament and a principle founder of the Church, was considered a wise elder. Barnabas, whose name means “son of encouragement,” was known as a supportive friend. Timothy was trained by Paul and characterized as a promising young leader.
From those historical figures was derived the idea that we all need a Paul, a Barnabas, and a Timothy in our lives. Someone to mentor us, someone to support us, and someone we’re building into. My dad and my friend Susan are “Pauls” in my life. My wife Lisa and friend Ty are key members of my “Barnabas” group. And along with attempting to mentor my kids and a few others, the main reason I write this blog is to pass on some of my hard-won life lessons to any “Timothys” out there.
So how about you? Do you have a Paul in your life to call when unexpected crises hit? Do you have a Barnabas who can encourage you and walk with you during those seasons of struggle? And are you available for a Timothy when their life goes sideways? If you have these three people in place, be grateful. If not, be on the lookout. You’ll be glad you did, and you’ll take another step toward Becoming Yourself.
I’ve tried those first two options before. Many times. I’ve pretended that I didn’t see people suffering because it made me feel sad and guilty. At other times I’ve hardened my heart to the pain caused by injustice because I felt powerless to do anything of significance to stop it. But over time, I’ve learned that if I’m going to become the kind of person I really want to be, I have to choose the Servant Response. To go even further, I think if there’s any hope for the world to become what I believe it should be, most people have to choose option #3. I’m guessing many of you would agree.
2. What one practical step can I take to make a difference in that area?
As you enter into the battle against injustice, it’s easy to feel defeated at times and wonder if what you’re doing really makes a difference. Martin Luther King Jr. knew that feeling but kept himself and others going with this insight: “The moral arc of the universe is long but it bends towards justice.” Keep fighting. In the end, justice wins.
A boy was walking on the beach and saw that the tide had stranded thousands of starfish on the sand. The sun was coming up and the starfish were going to dry out and die. He began to pick them up, one by one, and throw them back into the ocean. A man came along and said, “What difference can you make? There are thousands of them and you’re just one boy. Who cares?” The boy bent to pick up one more. As he tossed the starfish back in the water, he said, “This one cares.”