Vital signs- Monday, January 17th, 2022

“Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.”

(Acts 15:37-38)

Barnabas knew John Mark had failed, but he also knew that failure is not final, and he wanted to mend a broken relationship. From today’s passage, Barnabas took John Mark, and he continued to nurture him. Later, Paul was in a filthy, Roman prison. Time had passed. In 2 Timothy 4:11, Paul wrote: “Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.”

How about that? This is the same guy that Paul wouldn’t have anything to do with in today’s passage. But later, he said, “Bring him. He is profitable to me for the ministry.” How did that happen? Because there was a man named Barnabas, who refused to let go of a good man named Mark just because he failed. There are many around us who have failed, and they need you to help them be restored.

• Who do you know who might feel stuck in past failure?

• How might God be calling you to provide spiritual encouragement?

Take time this week to connect with someone you know who has failed and could use godly encouragement.