We missed a very important National Day Calendar celebration on September 12th, but it is one that should be celebrated more than one day per year. How about celebrating it 365 days a year – and one more day on leap years? What might this important day be?
It was the National Day of Encouragement.
It all started in 2007 when “a group of young people at the National Leadership Forum at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, came up with the idea of The Encouragement Project.”1 Then-Mayor Belinda LaForce caught on to the idea and issued an official proclamation. Not long afterwards, news of the celebration trickled to the Capitol and then-Governor Mike Beebe issued an official proclamation:
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS COME – GREETINGS:
WHEREAS: Everyday, we are bombarded with negative stories, images, and influences that can lead to feelings of sadness and hopelessness; and
WHEREAS: This discouragement can affect all aspects of a person’s life, from a job or schoolwork to personal relationships and decision-making; and
WHEREAS: Even the smallest gesture, such as a smile or kind word, has the ability to communicate friendship and compassion that can brighten someone’s day; and;
WHEREAS: September 11 is a day that continues to live in the minds of Americans as a dark and horrific memory of the startling and heartbreaking terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of 2,974 innocent people in 2001; and
WHEREAS: In the days and months following the September 11 attacks, the sacrifices made by thousands of Americans to help the victims and their families inspired and encouraged the entire Nation;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, MIKE BEEBE, Governor of the State of Arkansas, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the laws of the State of Arkansas, do hereby proclaim September 12, 2008, as a DAY OF ENCOURAGEMENT across the State of Arkansas, and I urge my fellow citizens of all ages, as well as all schools, organizations, businesses, and media outlets to encourage others on this day, whether it be through an act of service, a thoughtful letter, or words of kindness and inspiration, and thereby boost the overall morale of all.2
“President George W. Bush signed a document in 2007 designating the day as the National Day of Encouragement. A Senate resolution for the day was introduced by Arkansas Senator Mark Pryor and was passed by unanimous consent on September 13, 2011. Needless to say, National Day of Encouragement holds significance for all Americans.”3
There are many encouraging characters in the Bible, but one stands out from the rest just because his name is associated with encouragement, a man named Joses Barnabas.
“And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, (37) Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” (Acts 4:36-37)
Consolation: paraklesis. The word is used of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17) and it means to summon alongside someone in order to provide exhortation, admonition, encouragement, comfort, and refreshment.
Throughout the book of Acts and into 1 Corinthians, Galatians, and Colossians, we see this character being a “quiet encourager.” His encouragement didn’t come with great proclamation and fanfare. It was simply displayed through gestures of sharing the workload and accompanying Paul on mission trips. In fact, Barnabas was so bent on encouraging others that it put him at odds with Paul.
Acts 15:36-40 says, “And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. (37) And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. (38) But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. (39) And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; (40) And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.” Whatever John Mark had done, it was enough to sour Paul towards him but Barnabas looked beyond the offense and saw a salvageable saint.
Would anyone claim that you or I are that kind of encourager? Do we go out of our way to edify another believer? Will we be the ones to rush in when they’ve fallen, put their arm around our shoulders, and carry them for a while? We need to be that kind of person.
Let’s take our cues from the example of Barnabas as well as the admonition of Hebrews 3:13. “But exhort (same word in the original language as consolation) one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin..”
1https://wcel.nwaonline.com/news/2022/sep/07/history-of-national-day-of-encouragement/
2https://arklib.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/IO_cf51a81d-c2ed-441e-85e1-f93bdd517437/
3https://www.townplanner.com/event/598588/
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