The Apostle Paul worked with the giants of the faith – men like Peter, Barnabas, Silas, and Timothy. And then there was another fellow, a young man who checked out when trouble checked in. John Mark abandoned Paul early in his first missionary journey.
Fast forward several years.
Paul is now an aging missionary, and he sees the end fast approaching. In the final chapter of the final book he ever wrote, he had a most unusual request.
“Bring Mark to me” (2 Timothy 4:11).
Something had happened in Mark’s life since his youthful days of poor choices. And something had happened in Paul’s life as well. He was filled with a portion of grace and compassion he had lacked earlier in life.
But there’s more. Paul didn’t just ask to see Mark. He explained why: “Mark is helpful to me in the ministry.”
Don’t miss that! Despite his past mistakes, abandonment, and indiscretions, Mark was still “helpful” in ministry.
Recovery Step: What Paul said about Mark, God says about you. Despite all your addictions, your past, and your indiscretions, you are helpful to God. Nothing you have ever done has taken that away.
