Perhaps you’re feeling useless and ashamed. A dark cloud is hanging over you, and you can’t see even a single ray of light. The future seems bleak. And, Satan delights in persistently whispering:
“You are a hopeless failure! You’ve blown it so badly you could never be reusable or useful to God. Forget it! Don’t embarrass yourself by even trying to be restored – not to mention the folly of thinking your God would ever consider using you again.”
John Mark started on a big missionary trip with the Apostle Paul. He probably envisioned doing breath-taking exploits for God. But after not so many kilometres, Mark threw his duffel bag 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;
- the rigours of living out of a duffle bag and being on-the-go constantly were too demanding and chaotic;
- didn’t like working with non-Jews; or
- contracted malaria from a nasty 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 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 long 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:
“Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.” 2Timothy 4:11
Paul had forgiven Mark and now appreciated him fully, saying he is very useful to him. Paul wanted to signal to Mark his complete forgiveness and acceptance of him. How reassuring such a gesture must have been for Mark!
Is there anyone you need to forgive or about whom you need to change your mind? Is there someone you haven’t appreciated in the past, but it’s time to change your thinking about that person? Or, possibly you are a Mark – the one who dropped out? Thank God, you are not only restorable; you are reusable.
Don’t forget that this same Mark later wrote one of the four Gospels and, in particular, he hi-lited the faithfulness of the Perfect Servant – the Lord Jesus Christ.
Is this your prayer today?
“Lord, restore me and reuse me as a humbled and humble servant in whatever capacity You would like to use me. I have failed so miserably in the past but draw me nearer to Yourself. I want to spend the rest of my life being useful. Help me to focus on the Faithful Servant. Faithfully, He endured the Cross, despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the Throne of God. Help me to be more like HIM.”
Walk carefully and closely with the Lord today.
Warmly in Christ,
Peter Ramsay
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