Faithfulness
Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; Acts 15:39
This has always been a hard part of Paul’s story for me to handle. We read back in chapter 13 how the Holy Spirit separated Paul and Barnabas to be a team to go out on these missionary journeys. Now in chapter 15, because of a disagreement, they were separating. There is no indication that the Holy Spirit said that they could now go their separate ways, but they did anyway. Paul took on a new partner in Silas and Barnabas took Mark. Paul didn’t want to take Mark with them because he left then when things got tough. He just wasn’t there yet in his faith and didn’t understand the determination needed to be faithful in this mission no matter what they faced and let’s face it, these were not easy trips. The team was constantly up against trouble and tests. When they went to a new city, they didn’t wonder about the amenities at the best hotels. They were more concerned about the conditions of that city’s prison because most likely they were going to end up there. Faithfulness was not an easy thing especially when they had no idea how bad it was going to be.
The scripture doesn’t say that this split was against God’s will, but it does say God’s work continued. These men didn’t give up on their mission, they just went in different directions instead. Later on, they did work together again and eventually, Paul recognized that Mark had grown into a faithful member of a mission team. The scripture follows Paul’s story, but Barnabas and Mark still had a story. They continued in the work of the Lord and ministering to the church everywhere they went.
This may happen in your mission some day too. For whatever reason, people you work with in one season may move in a different direction at times. That doesn’t mean your mission stops. You continue on following where He leads, and you remain faithful to your calling. If others leave or decide to go another way, God will send you help from another place. Don’t worry about how you are going to get your mission accomplished, just be faithful to follow each step and He will bring you the people and resources you need to get the work done.
Today I want to encourage you in whatever season you are in to learn faithfulness. It is the first step in any mission. It’s not about others and it is not about being right or wrong. It is about being determined to stay where He puts you until He moves you on. Doing your best work and having your best attitude no matter what the circumstances are around you. You can only control one person in this life and that is yourself. Be the best “you” wherever you are in every season. Faithfulness is the foundation that will go with your through your whole life and it will be put to the test every step of the way. Determine today to be the best you can be and when you fall short, He will give you the boost to get up and do it again. And don’t worry if you miss it. the requirement for faithfulness never goes away. If you fail the faithfulness test one day, you can get up the next day and be faithful again. It is required in a steward that one be found faithful. Always! (1 Corinthians 4:2)
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 15:36-41
36 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.”
37 Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark.
38 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.
39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus;
40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God.
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
The Daily Dose 