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Seeing others the right way
'Get Mark...he is helpful...to my ministry.' 2 TIMOTHY 4:11
When John Mark decided to take time off to visit his family, it didn't sit too well with Paul. Later when Barnabas wanted to take John Mark on their next mission trip, Paul exploded! '...the contention became so sharp...they parted from one another...Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; but Paul chose Silas...' (Acts 15:38-40 NKJV). But the story doesn't end there.
Later, an older and wiser Paul who had learned to add grace to his grit, has changed his mind about Mark, "Demas loves the things of this world so much that he left...Mark can be very helpful to me, so please find him and bring him with you. (2 Timothy 4:10-11 CEV). There are three important lessons here for you:
1) Always be willing to give someone a second chance. After all, that's what God does for you. You can get hurt and disappointed, but if you're going to be Christ-like it's a risk you must take.
2) It doesn't matter that we are different. Paul didn't have a family, Mark did, they had different priorities. Just because someone doesn't see things the same way as you doesn't mean they are against you.
3) When you look for the best in others you usually find it. The Bible says, '...we have this treasure in jars of clay...' (2 Corinthians 4:7 NIV). Learn to look pass the scruffy clay and find the treasure in people.
written by Bob Gass
'Get Mark...he is helpful...to my ministry.' 2 TIMOTHY 4:11
When John Mark decided to take time off to visit his family, it didn't sit too well with Paul. Later when Barnabas wanted to take John Mark on their next mission trip, Paul exploded! '...the contention became so sharp...they parted from one another...Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; but Paul chose Silas...' (Acts 15:38-40 NKJV). But the story doesn't end there.
Later, an older and wiser Paul who had learned to add grace to his grit, has changed his mind about Mark, "Demas loves the things of this world so much that he left...Mark can be very helpful to me, so please find him and bring him with you. (2 Timothy 4:10-11 CEV). There are three important lessons here for you:
1) Always be willing to give someone a second chance. After all, that's what God does for you. You can get hurt and disappointed, but if you're going to be Christ-like it's a risk you must take.
2) It doesn't matter that we are different. Paul didn't have a family, Mark did, they had different priorities. Just because someone doesn't see things the same way as you doesn't mean they are against you.
3) When you look for the best in others you usually find it. The Bible says, '...we have this treasure in jars of clay...' (2 Corinthians 4:7 NIV). Learn to look pass the scruffy clay and find the treasure in people.
written by Bob Gass
