“Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.” Acts 15:37-40
“As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
“Do your best to come to me soon… Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.” 2 Timothy 4: 5-9,11
Paul was near the end of his life and ministry, awaiting execution in a Roman jail. In writing to Timothy, his beloved son in the faith, he reflected on the hope he had in Christ at this stage in his life, and desired just one more visit from this faithful spiritual son… and Mark. Years prior, he had rejected Mark for a journey because Mark had abandoned them in Pamphylia. It is not told why, but for whatever reason- Mark’s doubt, immature relational skills, fear, or inexperience- Paul had deemed him unsuited for the assignment. Barnabas the encourager took him along, and God worked to develop this questionable young man into a useful servant and a blessing to Paul. The Lord finishes what He begins. Who knew this better than Paul? (Philippians 1:6; 1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2)
We often hesitate in confidence, for ourselves and for others. Personally, we can stew in the scrabble of past failures or feelings of inadequacy. Comparing ourselves to others, there are many more qualified, prepared, talented for the task at hand. When we stay stuck in the past, we cannot move forward in Christ and grow. It takes stretching, leaving regrets behind and plodding ahead in faith to develop strength and effectiveness as we prove the Lord’s sufficiency. (Isaiah 43:18-19; Philippians 3:13-14)
In others, we can tend to focus on weaknesses, shortcomings, long-ago poor decisions. With our own children or co-laborers, we can be negative, fatalistic, and fail to expect the Lord to work. We might simply be impatient, or arrogant, and avoid taking the time to nurture, train, or pray, thinking it better to do a job ourselves. In our pessimism, all miss out on the opportunity to develop character and skill through discipleship and experience. The Lord may intend to teach each party through mentoring relationships.
Whom do we dismiss as questionable or inadequate for ministry? Where are we failing to progress in hope of God’s redeeming work and grace? What might we be missing, in our own or loved one’s increasing maturity and sanctification, because we refuse to move out in faith? The Lord does mighty things in those who make themselves available to Him.
Father, work in and through me to Your purposes and glory.
As the rain and snow 