'You are a failure. You failed me and are of no use. You can't tag along.' What if someone says this to you when you are about to take a big decision?
2 Corinthians 12: 9
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness".
Well, this happened in the life of a young man. A man born into a wealthy household enjoying all the comforts that he could get. And then he decides to join his uncle and co-worker in traveling and preaching the gospel; only to desert them in the middle of their trip. It is likely that this young man was discouraged at the hardness of the way and decided to return to his comforts. This is what John Mark did.
This typical failure is the reason why Apostle Paul did not want to take this quitter with them on their second missionary journey. John Mark was on the face rejected and labelled useless to continue in ministering. Think about the embarrassment he must have gone through.
Often times, people look back at our failures and mark us as useless and worthless. But our story does not end there. Because we have a God who does not desert us at this juncture. He does not get disappointed at us in our weaknesses, but makes us stronger to walk ahead and overcome that weakness. We just have to call out to him for help.
This is what happened in John Mark's life. Later on, we see Mark as a useful tool in spreading the gospel. He wrote the Gospel of Mark to strengthen the victimised and scrutinized Christians under Emperor Nero's rule. The first man to write the life story of Jesus, helping many to stay strong in the Lord.
This was the life of a man deemed useless in the sight of men but useful in God's hands. Whatever the world around labels you as, put yourself in God's hand and he will acknowledge you. For he knows what is best for us and in him we are made complete!
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness".
Well, this happened in the life of a young man. A man born into a wealthy household enjoying all the comforts that he could get. And then he decides to join his uncle and co-worker in traveling and preaching the gospel; only to desert them in the middle of their trip. It is likely that this young man was discouraged at the hardness of the way and decided to return to his comforts. This is what John Mark did.
This typical failure is the reason why Apostle Paul did not want to take this quitter with them on their second missionary journey. John Mark was on the face rejected and labelled useless to continue in ministering. Think about the embarrassment he must have gone through.
Often times, people look back at our failures and mark us as useless and worthless. But our story does not end there. Because we have a God who does not desert us at this juncture. He does not get disappointed at us in our weaknesses, but makes us stronger to walk ahead and overcome that weakness. We just have to call out to him for help.
This is what happened in John Mark's life. Later on, we see Mark as a useful tool in spreading the gospel. He wrote the Gospel of Mark to strengthen the victimised and scrutinized Christians under Emperor Nero's rule. The first man to write the life story of Jesus, helping many to stay strong in the Lord.
This was the life of a man deemed useless in the sight of men but useful in God's hands. Whatever the world around labels you as, put yourself in God's hand and he will acknowledge you. For he knows what is best for us and in him we are made complete!
Ansu Susan Oommen
Ansu is a student of Delhi University and a youth leader in Crossway. She can be reached at ansususan9828@gmail.com
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