John Mark was a failure to Barnabas and Paul during their first missionary journey. He was initially their helper (Acts 13:5), but later abandoned them (Acts 13:13). His action irritated Paul so much that when Paul and Barnabas were preparing for the second missionary journey, Paul did not think it wise to take him, but Barnabas thought otherwise. The disagreement on this matter was so sharp that Paul and Barnabas parted company. Barnabas took Mark and went in one direction while Paul took another person, Silas, and went in another direction (see Acts 15:36-41). However, the seemingly unwanted Mark became useful for Paul in the latter days of his ministry to the extent that Paul had to write Timothy to bring Mark to him "for he is useful to me for ministry" (2 Timothy 4:11 NKJV).
There have been cases of disappointment in part of some people that have made us to write them off. We have seen such people as a failure, and have thought that nothing good can come out of them. We may even, like Paul, refuse to give them a second chance, and be ready to quarrel with anyone that is ready to bring out the goodness in them. This ought not to be so. No one is a write-off. Even, if the person has failed several times. The person can still be useful later. Be an encourager like Barnabas, and help that person to become useful.
Probably, you are the seeming failure. You have given up on yourself because you have disappointed people and yourself when you ought to deliver. Do not give up. You can still be useful. If no one believes in you or encourages you, believe in yourself that you can make it and be useful to yourself and to others around you. Encourage yourself. Like it happened to John Mark, somebody, even that person that has lost hope in you, will look for your help one day. You can be useful!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
Prayer Point: Pray that you will not look down on anybody, but always look for the usefulness in the lives of others.
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