Second Chances

“Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:11 (NIV) John Mark was a young believer when Paul and Barnabas took him on a Gospel outreach trip (Acts 15:36-41). Things went okay until they ran into some intense spiritual warfare. That was it. John Mark could hardly get out of there quick enough. “Mama, I’m comin’ home!” A couple years later, Paul and Barnabas are planning another trip, and the question comes up, “Should we take John Mark along?” Barnabas wants to, but Paul is adamant that he’s not taking him. Things heat up, but Barnabas doesn’t cave, and they go separate ways. Paul will take another young disciple, Silas, and Barnabas gets John Mark. Barnabas (his name means “Son of Encouragement”) believed in second chances. It didn’t even matter that the recipient wasn’t totally deserving of it, or that the one who didn’t want John Mark along was the Apostle Paul! Barnabus was a “second-chance” kind of guy. John Mark had done some serious growing-up since that first ministry foray and wasn’t going to let this second shot at serving Jesus slip away. He jumped on it, ran with it, and poured his life into it. Years later (2 Timothy 4:11), the aging Apostle Paul, writing from his prison cell, would specifically request that John Mark come help with the work there. JM had proved himself on his second try! Most of us have had second chances. Sometimes our “chance-count” might number way more than that! In fact, when the Apostle Peter (Matthew 18:21-22) asked Jesus if seven chances were enough to give a person, our Savior told him, “Not seven, but seventy times seven!” Our God is a God of second chances. It’s really important that we don’t miss the opportunity when we’re offered another kick at the can. We may not deserve it, but He invites us to follow and serve Him. — Kene Jackson   Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website. Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org