Perhaps you’re feeling useless and embarrassed. A dark cloud is hanging over you and you can’t see even a single ray of light. The future seems bleak. And Satan whispers: “You’re right. You ARE a failure! Give up while you’re ahead. You’ve blown it so badly you could never be useful to God. You’re up and down like a yo-yo – forget it. Hot one minute and cold the next! On one week and off the next. Don’t embarrass yourself again.”

John Mark started off on a big missionary trip with the Apostle Paul. I’m sure he envisioned doing breath-taking exploits for God. But after not so many miles Mark threw his knapsack over his shoulder, split the scene and headed to Jerusalem. (Acts 13:13) Why did Mark quit? There’s been no shortage of speculations as to why:

• decided to break from the group to visit his mom in Jerusalem;
• afraid of the persecution associated with Paul’s Gospel preaching;
• couldn’t adjust to Paul’s leadership style after being with Barnabas and connecting with his style;
• the rigors of living out of suit-case and on-the-go constantly was too chaotic for him;
• didn’t like working with non-Jews; or
• contracted malaria from a mosquito bite in Perga.

Whatever the reason was, Paul did not approve of Mark’s decision to leave the team. (Acts 15) Later at Antioch, Barnabas said to Paul: “If we’re taking another trip, I want to take my cousin Mark with us again.” Paul said: “No! He quit on us the last time.” There was some tension and Barnabas ended up taking Mark with him to Cyprus and Paul went on to Syria.

Does that mean Mark could never be useful again? And would Paul never forgive Mark?

The answer to both questions is ‘NO!’ Paul forgave Mark and the relationship was completely restored. Paul wasn’t focused on old water that had gone under the bridge; he concentrated on the potential for the future. Only look back long enough to learn from the past but then quickly turn around and get going!

Before Paul died, he wrote Timothy a last letter from prison. Here’s what he said:

Paul had forgiven Mark and now appreciates him fully and says he is USEFUL to him. Paul wanted to signal to Mark his full forgiveness and full acceptance of him. How reassuring such a gesture must have been for Mark! Is there anyone you need to forgive or change your mind about? Is there someone you haven’t appreciated in the past but it’s time to change your thinking about that person? Or are you the Mark who has been a quitter in the past? Thank God, you can be useful again.

How would Mark be useful to Paul during his last days on earth? Maybe just as a Christian companion for comfort; maybe as a prayer partner; or a soup-stirrer, a dish washer, a reader or a penman; or to wash his garments or to be a contact point for the Christians. The point is: Paul said Mark would be USEFUL to him. This same Mark later wrote one of the four Gospels and hi-lited the faithfulness of the Perfect Servant.

Is this your prayer today?