2nd Chance

https://odb.org/MY/2022/08/17/the-making-of-me

The story of Paul, Barnabas and John Mark in Acts 15:36-40 is a real life example in the book of Acts on how to encourage and believe in someone despite someone else of authority thinking otherwise. Paul dismissed the idea of bringing John Mark along a missionary trip because he had previously deserted them but Barnabas stood his ground and thus parted ways with Paul. Later in 2 Timothy 4:11, Paul asked Luke to go bring John Mark along as he was helpful to Paul’s ministry. In the end, John Mark went on to write the Gospel according to Mark and Barnabas lived up to his name as the son of encouragement as he encouraged and believed in John Mark despite Paul’s earlier dismissal.

As elders of the faith and leaders in church, we must follow the example of Barnabas in believing in someone despite their past misadventures. Paul despite his theological brilliance and church planting and apostolic talents made a wrong judgment call on John Mark as proven by history.

In my own life, in my previous church, there were many who were spiritually much more advanced than me but not all of them remained serving God in the church until today. Our spiritual journey and involvement in ministry is a long haul. Many fall on the wayside and are no longer active and yet there are some who were not a model of spirituality in the past and yet are still serving God and are still with Christ until today. Sometimes we need to have a longer view term of things – like 20 or 30 years instead of just 12 or 24 months. Some people are like the hare who runs very fast but others are like the tortoise who takes one step at a time at its own pace. But the race is a long one, one that could stretch maybe 60 to 70 years of our human lives. Whether we are the prima donna hare or the average but steady tortoise, it actually doesn’t matter too much in the larger scheme of things as what’s important is we all reach the finish line victorious and with our faith intact.

Believe in ourselves and in others. Be a Barnabas to ourselves and to others. Encourage rather than dismiss. Build up rather than tear down. Walk on and never give up. Christ is the hope of our glory!